Disturbing footage has emerged that appears to capture a man asking a fellow visitor to photograph him with a tiger shortly before he allegedly climbed into the animal’s enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and was fatally attacked.
Emergency services rushed to the wildlife park near Doncaster shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday, October 10, following reports that a man had entered the tiger enclosure. Despite efforts by the park’s keepers to bring the situation under control, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has not yet been publicly identified, and authorities have not established why he entered the enclosure.
Chilling footage captures the moments before the tragedy
The newly surfaced video was recorded by a visitor’s partner while a five-year-old Siberian tiger named Altai rested in the grass.
In the background, a man believed to be the victim can allegedly be heard asking another visitor to take a photograph of him with the big cat behind him.
Del Taylor, who was at the park with her partner, said the man approached her while other visitors watched the tiger from the viewing area.
“He was completely alone,” she told The Sun. “At first he was dancing on the bridge overlooking the enclosure. He ended up standing next to me.”
Taylor said her partner was recording the tiger when the interaction took place. According to her account, she took the man’s phone and photographed him with his back to the enclosure.
In the recording, the man can reportedly be heard asking, “Can you grab a shot of myself with the tiger?”
He then appears to request additional photographs, excitedly saying, “One more, one more, one more,” before thanking her.
Moments later, the situation took a devastating turn.
It is believed the man climbed over a barrier from the viewing platform and entered the enclosure, where Altai attacked him.
Keepers used acoustic guns to move the tiger to safety
As the emergency unfolded, Yorkshire Wildlife Park staff worked to secure the animal and protect visitors.
Keepers used gas-powered acoustic guns, firing them into the air to frighten Altai away from the man and encourage the tiger to retreat to a nearby shelter.
The animal was subsequently secured, while emergency responders attended to the victim. Tragically, the man could not be saved.
The park was evacuated as police and emergency services dealt with the incident. Black screens were placed around the visitor pathway to prevent people from seeing the distressing scene.
An air ambulance was also seen circling the area before landing near the park’s Land of the Tigers enclosure.
The enclosure is surrounded by a five-metre-high fence. At one corner, a viewing platform sits above the fence and is protected by an additional barrier approximately one metre high. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the man’s reported entry into the enclosure.
Witness describes the moments before the attack
Taylor’s account has provided a glimpse into the minutes preceding the fatal incident.
She said the man appeared to be on his own and was dancing on a bridge overlooking the enclosure before approaching her for photographs.
The interaction initially appeared unremarkable, with the man apparently keen to capture a picture with the tiger in the background.
The recording later became significant because it appeared to document the victim shortly before he entered the enclosure.
However, the footage does not establish why he approached the tiger or what prompted him to climb over the barrier.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances of his death.
Wildlife park confirms Altai is safe and will not be euthanised
Following the tragedy, concerns emerged about what would happen to Altai.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park addressed those fears in a statement released on Sunday, confirming that the tiger was unharmed and had been returned safely to his enclosure.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life,” the park said.
Acknowledging the public concern surrounding the animal, the statement continued: “Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger.
“We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.”
The announcement provided reassurance that Altai would not be put down following the encounter.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed as investigation continues
The wildlife park remained closed following the incident, with authorities continuing to investigate the man’s death.
On Monday morning, October 12, the park notified ticket holders that it would remain closed for the entire day because of the serious incident on Saturday, October 10.
In its message, the park apologised for the late notice and any inconvenience caused, confirming that visitors with bookings for Monday would be contacted within five working days with information about rearranging their visits.
As investigators work to establish exactly what happened, the circumstances leading to the man’s entry into the tiger enclosure remain unclear.
The emerging footage offers a glimpse of his final known moments before the fatal encounter, while the park has confirmed that Altai remains safe and will continue to be cared for following the tragedy.