Yorkshire Wildlife Park "deeply saddened" after man is mauled to death by tiger
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has issued a statement
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has issued a statement saying it is “deeply saddened” at the death of a man who was mauled by a tiger at the popular family attraction.
Video of the horrifying incident circulating online captured a man on the grass in the Land of the Tigers enclosure, with one of the tigers appearing to have him in a hold.
Onlookers screamed as the tiger circled and then attacked the man, who died.
Shocked visitors were evacuated from the park and said they could hear a number of shots being fired.
Black screens were erected around the enclosure in the aftermath of the incident.
It has since emerged that the tiger survived the incident.
The wildlife park will be closed tomorrow while the investigation into the tiger attack and circumstances leading to it continues.
A statement from the bosses of the family attraction was released this evening.
It reads: “We are deeply saddened by today's tragic incident.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has lost their life.
“We are working closely with the police and relevant authorities and would ask that the privacy of those affected is respected at this extremely difficult time.
“The park will remain closed tomorrow.”
SYP said: “At 1.35pm today (Saturday 10 October) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
“The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury.
“Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The man's family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.
“Regarding rumours surrounding the condition of the tiger, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public.
“Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out enquiries.
“We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park describes the The Land of the Tigers enclosure as an area where “magnificent big cats” can freely roam the woodlands and grasslands or play in their very own waterfall pool.
It is a two acre complex of reserves.
In March last year Yorkshire Wildlife Park welcomed a new Amur Tiger as part of global conservation efforts to protect the endangered species.
The young male tiger travelled over 1.135 miles from Norway to join YWP’s resident tigress Tschuna at the park.
Tschuna arrived at the park in 2013 and gave birth to three cubs two years later.
All three of her cubs moved to different parks round the world to be part of the vital species breeding programme. One has joined the American programme and is a father at the Cleveland Zoo, Ohio.
Amur Tigers, more commonly known as Siberian Tigers, are the largest big cats in the world. The average weight for males is 160-190kg, while females are smaller, at 110-130kg.
In the last 100 years the world has lost three subspecies of Tiger, with Amur Tiger numbers dropping to around 50 individuals several decades ago. International awareness and conservation initiatives have helped to push their numbers back.