Yorkshire Wildlife Park in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, remained closed for a third consecutive day on Monday as investigations continued into the death of a man attacked by a tiger after entering its enclosure.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at the wildlife park near Doncaster, prompting the evacuation of the facility.
Reports indicated that the man climbed down from a walkway into the tiger’s enclosure before he was attacked.
An eyewitness said the man had been wearing headphones and was seen “pacing around” near the enclosure before entering it.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the man died at the scene and said officers were supporting his family through the difficult period.
“Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time,” the police said.
The park’s management announced that the facility would remain closed to visitors on Monday while the circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Wildlife Park said, “Due to the events over the weekend, the park will remain closed today. Thank you for your understanding.”
The park also confirmed that the Amur tiger, named Altai, would remain in its enclosure and would not be euthanised.
Visitors who had booked tickets were informed that they would be contacted within five days to arrange alternative dates for their visits.
Meanwhile, Angela Seivewright, 47, from Bawtry, visited the park’s entrance on Monday to lay flowers in tribute to the deceased man.
She said she had an annual pass and had visited the attraction on numerous occasions with her two children.
“My daughter was unfortunately sent the video and she’s a teenager,” she said.
“I found it very distressing, but I think what I’ve found more distressing is the reaction of the public that I received when I said I hope the human is OK.
“I was surprised at the amount of anger and hatred the people seemed to have towards the gentleman.”
Police had earlier expressed concern about videos of the incident circulating online and urged members of the public not to share the footage.
Dr Campbell Murn, a former member of the government’s zoo expert committee and a lecturer at the University of Reading, described the incident as tragic, noting that determined individuals could sometimes breach zoo enclosures despite security measures.
“I view it in the same way a determined thief will get into somebody’s house or somebody’s car and despite the best security systems and enclosures sometimes these things happen,” he said.
He explained that modern zoos were designed to allow visitors to experience wildlife while maintaining appropriate safety measures.
“One of the fundamental approaches of a modern zoo is to give people a wildlife experience and keep them safe so they can learn and they can enjoy being near the animals, but keeping a safety distance that is relevant but not making it too heavy handed.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Murn said public safety remained a major consideration in setting standards for zoos across the United Kingdom.
However, the Born Free Foundation, an organisation campaigning for an end to zoos, called for an urgent investigation into how the man gained access to the enclosure and the events that followed.
The foundation’s co-founder, Will Travers, said, “Putting dangerous wild animals on public display in zoos and safari parks creates a false relationship with humans.
“Visitors are encouraged to get up close and personal – that is a deeply unnatural situation and not without risk.”
Altai was transferred to Yorkshire Wildlife Park from Dyreparken in Norway in February 2025 under an international programme aimed at protecting endangered Amur tigers.
Helene Axelsen, a biologist at Dyreparken, said the tiger was born at the Norwegian facility in 2021.
She said, “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.”
