Yorkshire Wildlife Park: Man killed by tiger posed for photo with big cat moments before
“Probably the last photo on his phone”
The man mauled to death by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park asked another visitor to take a photo of him with the big cat in the background just moments before tragedy struck.
The man, who has not yet been named, died after entering the Land of the Tigers enclosure at the popular attraction in Doncaster yesterday afternoon.
Shocking video circulating online captured the tiger fatally injuring the young man before shots were fired which forced the tiger to retreat so that wildlife park staff and emergency workers could enter the enclosure.
But despite their best efforts, the seriously injured man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Marie Miller, who was visiting the park yesterday, has posted a photograph online of the tiger involved taken just 20 minutes before the incident.
And she explained how she had seen the young man who entered the enclosure shortly before he lost his life.
She said he was “happily enjoying seeing the tiger” and asked another visitor to take a photo of him with the cat in the background.
Marie wrote: “20 minutes before today’s tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this tiger was sat in the sunshine.
“The man who I saw on the bridge with his EarPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger.
“He obviously wasn’t with anyone and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background. Probably the last photo on his phone.
“I’m not sure if he was with a carer or family member but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger.
“Tragic for the family.
“Tragic for the staff who were brilliant but in shock.
“Thankfully the tiger survived.”