By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-13 10:36:16 | Updated at 2026-10-16 13:36:39
3 days ago
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Visitors of Yorkshire Wildlife Park have revealed tragic details behind the death of a man mauled by a tiger at the park, describing how he appeared happy as he asked strangers to photograph him with the apex predator shortly before climbing into its enclosure.
The man, who police believe was visiting the Doncaster attraction alone, died after entering the tiger enclosure at around 1.35pm on Saturday, with the park remaining closed for a fourth day as a health and safety investigation continues.
Witnesses have described how the man was dancing with headphones on before approaching visitors to ask for pictures, with one woman who photographed him later sharing an emotional account of events.
Del Taylor, who was visiting with her boyfriend, said the man appeared happy when he approached her and handed over his phone to take a photograph of him with the tiger in the background.
Speaking in an update shared on TikTok, she said: “He was so happy and then he's come and placed himself next to us and he passed me his phone and he asked me for a photo.”
Her account came as other visitors described the disturbing events that followed.
Anthony Hunt, who was visiting the park with his girlfriend Scarlet, said the couple noticed the tiger, named Altai, suddenly change its behaviour while they were photographing it.
“Its eyes locked on to something in the enclosure,” he told Sky News.
“When Scarlet was taking photos, we suddenly saw in the camera lens that a guy had entered the enclosure.”
Anthony said the man appeared to bow down on all fours, praying and looking towards the sky, before the tiger approached him.
Another visitor, Alex Underwood, said the man had asked his girlfriend to take several photographs of him shortly before they left the viewing bridge.
“He was dancing with his earphones on,” Alex said, adding that the man asked for “another one, another one” before thanking them.
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A witness also told reporters that a woman had tried to prevent the man from entering the enclosure, attempting to pull him back, but being unable to stop him.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed the tiger attacked the man, causing serious injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.
The force has urged people not to share distressing footage of the incident circulating online.
The man's identity has not been publicly released, with reports indicating his family has requested that he not be named.
Flowers have since been set at the park entrance, in respect of the man who lost his life.
City of Doncaster Council, the park's licensing authority, has launched a health and safety investigation and is working with police and other agencies.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has confirmed that Altai, an Amur tiger, is safe and will not be euthanised. Staff members have been offered specialist support following the incident.
The attraction's Land of the Tigers area opened in 2011 and features a purpose-built, two-acre reserve for the endangered species, which has an estimated 500 individuals remaining in the wild.
The park has apologised to ticket holders for the continued closure and said customers with bookings would be contacted about rearranging their visits.
It has not confirmed when the attraction will reopen.
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