Yorkshire Wildlife Park: Police reveal fate of tiger involved in fatal attack
There had been fears that the endangered tiger had been shot
Police have revealed the fate of the tiger which mauled a man to death at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, amid fears the endangered animal had been shot.
A man, who has not yet been named, died after he entered the Land of the Tigers enclosure at the popular family attraction in Doncaster yesterday and was encountered by one of the big cats, Altai, which live there.
Video footage of the incident shows the tiger attacking the young man as he was on the ground.
Visitors to the park that day described hearing shots fired, leading to fears that the tiger had been killed.
But South Yorkshire Police has revealed that the tiger was unharmed during the incident.
The shots fired are believed to have been to encourage the tiger to retreat so that the enclosure could be made safe for wildlife park staff and medics to enter.
SYP said: “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.”
Since then wildlife park bosses have also issued a statement about Altai.
They said: “We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday’s tragic incident.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
“The park will be closed while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.
“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.”
Altai joined the park’s resident tigress, Tschuna, as part of global conservation efforts to protect the species last February.
The then three year old was born at the Norwegian Zoo, Dyreparken, and was brought to Yorkshire Wildlife Park as part of the European Endangered Species Programme.
Tschuna arrived at the park in 2013 and gave birth to three cubs two years later.
All three cubs moved to different parks round the world to be part of the vital species breeding programme.
Land of the Tigers is a two-acre complex of reserves made up of woodlands, grasslands and its own waterfall pool.
Amur Tigers, more commonly known as Siberian Tigers, are the largest big cats in the world.
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. The most recent IUCN Red List assessment, published in 2022, estimated the population at 265-486, but they do remain endangered.