A man has died after being attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, the United Kingdom, prompting the temporary closure of the facility as police investigate the incident.
South Yorkshire Police said the man was seen entering the tiger enclosure shortly before officers were alerted at 13:35 BST on Saturday.
The tiger attacked him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The animal was not injured and remained inside the enclosure after the incident.
However, the park announced that it would remain closed for the rest of the weekend while authorities work to establish what happened.
UK Foreign Secretary and Doncaster North MP, Ed Miliband, said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and extended his “thoughts and deepest condolences to the family of the individual who died.”
He added that he was “very grateful to the emergency services and staff of the park who responded.”
In a statement, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said, “Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has lost their life.”
Police said officers were supporting the deceased’s family and urged members of the public not to circulate videos of the incident online.
“Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time,” the force said.
It added, “We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage.”
Earlier, the park said its emergency response procedures had been “immediately activated” and that it was “working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened”.
A visitor to the park, Karmelle Pelham, 39, from Worksop, said she was spending the day with her family when staff informed them that the facility was being evacuated.
She said she heard sounds resembling “gunshots” and noticed an air ambulance circling overhead.
“There was a big, black tarpaulin over the tiger enclosure,” she said, praising the park staff for their response and describing the evacuation as “very, very well organised”.
Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, also expressed sadness over the incident and thanked emergency workers for their response.
In a statement shared on social media, he said he was “deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident that has taken place at Yorkshire Wildlife Park today”.
“I understand that support is being made available for those who need it.
“As ever, I offer my heartfelt thanks to the emergency services for their speed and professionalism, and I know I speak for everyone in Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme when I say our thoughts are with all of those affected by today’s events.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, while its Land of the Tigers section was launched in 2011. The two-acre reserve houses Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with approximately 500 remaining in the wild.
