Yorkshire Wildlife Park remained closed for a third day on Monday after a man died in a Siberian tiger attack at the park near Doncaster on Saturday afternoon. The closure followed reports that he climbed down into the enclosure from a walkway before he was attacked.
A park spokesperson said on Monday: “Due to the events over the weekend, the park will remain closed today. Thank you for your understanding.” South Yorkshire Police said the man died at the scene and that his family were being supported by officers.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park bookings
Ticket holders were told on Monday morning that anyone with a booking would be contacted within the next five days to reschedule. That gives visitors a clear next step: wait for contact rather than travel to the park, which stayed shut while investigations continued.
The tiger involved was identified by the park as Altai, a rare Amur tiger. Yorkshire Wildlife Park said Altai would remain in the enclosure and would not be euthanised.
Angela Seivewright at the gates
Angela Seivewright, a visitor and annual pass holder, laid flowers outside the gates and said she had visited the park many times with her two children. “My daughter was unfortunately sent the video and she's a teenager,” she said.
She added: “I found it very distressing, but I think what I've found more distressing is the reaction of the public that I received when I said I hope the human is OK.” She said: “I was surprised at the amount of anger and hatred the people seemed to have towards the gentleman.”
Dr Campbell Murn on enclosures
Dr Campbell Murn, a lecturer at the University of Reading and a previous member of the government's zoo expert committee, said determined people could get inside zoo enclosures. “I view it in the same way a determined thief will get into somebody's house or somebody's car and despite the best security systems and enclosures sometimes these things happen,” he said.
How the man was able to climb down into the enclosure from the walkway has not been explained. That leaves the park shut, the booking changes underway, and the focus on what investigators decide about the security failure that allowed the attack to happen.
