Yorkshire Wildlife Park Fatal Tiger Attack: What We Know So Far
BBC News Update
Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster remains closed after a man died in the tiger enclosure on Saturday. Here's what we know so far about the incident.
What Happened at the Park?
- Emergency services were called to Yorkshire Wildlife Park around 13:30 BST on Saturday to reports of a man climbing into the tiger enclosure from a high walkway.
- Visitors were moved away as the tiger attacked the man, resulting in his death.
- The rare Amur tiger, named Altai, remained safely in the enclosure and will not be euthanized.
- The park has been closed since Saturday and has not yet reopened.
How Is the Park Laid Out?
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park spans 150 acres with 15 unique habitats featuring wide paths and raised viewing areas.
- The park focuses on large animal conservation, housing species such as lions, meerkats, lemurs, African penguins, and sea lions.
- Tigers are housed in the "Land of the Tigers," which boasts a 300m-long raised walkway for visitors to observe the animals from above.
What Do We Know About the Victim?
- The man has not been named but was described as being in his 20s, wearing headphones, and pacing around on the walkway minutes before the incident.
- Eyewitness Ella Ford, 24, reported seeing the man climb onto the barriers and be spoken to by a woman before jumping into the enclosure and crawling in front of the tiger, where it lay.
- Ford observed the man shouting for help as the tiger grabbed hold of him.
What Do We Know About Altai the Tiger?
- Altai is a five-year-old male Amur (Siberian) tiger, the largest big cat species globally.
- Males typically weigh between 160-190 kg (25-30 stone), while females are smaller, at 110-130 kg (17-20 stone).
- He moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in February 2025 from Dyreparken in Norway as part of the European Endangered Species Programme for Amur tigers.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park Statement
"We were deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park over the weekend. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim's family, loved ones, and the entire team at Yorkshire Wildlife Park during this extremely difficult time." - Helene Axelsen, Dyreparken biologist