Yorkshire Wildlife Park spares Altai tiger after fatal attack

Yorkshire Wildlife Park said its tiger Altai will not be euthanised after a man died on 10 October 2026 when he entered the animal's enclosure at the park near Doncaster, England. South Yorkshire Police said officers received reports of a man entering the tiger's enclosure at 1.35pm on Saturday and that the man was pronounced dead at the scene.mirror.co.uk

The decision matters because it settles the fate of the animal at the centre of a fatal incident that closed the park for the weekend. The park said on 11 October it had received contact from many people about Altai, and it reassured them the tiger is safe and well. The park said it would remain closed so staff could recover.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

What the park said

In a statement issued on 11 October, the park thanked people who had expressed concern and said its thoughts remained with the family and loved ones of the man who died. The park added that many people had contacted it about Altai, and that the tiger would not be euthanised as a result of the incident.

South Yorkshire Police said in a statement that the tiger attacked the man, causing serious injury, and that emergency services attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene despite medical efforts. Police said the animal was uninjured, stayed in the enclosure, and posed no wider risk to the public. The man's family has been informed and supported by specialist officers.

How the attack unfolded

Witnesses described the moments before the attack. Anthony Hunt, 22, a university graduate, said a woman tried to drag the man back onto the viewing platform, but he got past her and dropped 12ft to 15ft onto the enclosure floor, which was soft from rain. Hunt said the man was on all fours, praying and bowing to the tiger.

Another visitor, Del Taylor, said the man was alone, dancing on the bridge with AirPods in, and asked her to take a photo of him with the tiger behind him. A witness said the man had been seen 20 minutes earlier enjoying the sunshine and dancing. Police have not released the man's identity, and local reports suggesting he was in his 20s remain unconfirmed.

Expert animal keeper Reece Oliver said the man stood no chance of survival, saying the tiger weighs 200 kilos. Oliver said the tiger was not being malicious, and that it likely acted on predatory instinct because only enrichment toys or food normally enter the enclosure. Witnesses said keepers fired shots into the air to distract the tiger, and the animal was not shot.

What happens next

British foreign secretary and Doncaster member of Parliament Ed Miliband said he was deeply saddened by the incident and sent condolences to the family. Staff who witnessed the attack are receiving specialist support, the park said. Tomi Lahren, co-host of The Big Weekend Show, defended the decision to spare the tiger on 11 October, arguing the animal acted on instinct. The park's website listed reopening at 9.45am on Monday, though the park had not confirmed this. Tickets remained on sale for Monday visits after the closure across the weekend. The investigation into why the man entered the enclosure continues, and police have not released his name.upi.com+1