Man dies after entering tiger enclosure at UK wildlife park

A man has died after entering the tiger enclosure at an animal attraction in Yorkshire, according to police.

Emergency services were called to Yorkshire Wildlife Park after the tiger, named Altai, "attacked" the man shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday afternoon.

But the man was pronounced dead at the scene and his family have been told, South Yorkshire Police said.

The tiger was "uninjured" and remains in the enclosure, posing "no wider risk to the public", the force added.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, located near Doncaster, said in a statement earlier: "Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated, and emergency services are currently attending the scene.

"We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened."

Yorkshire Wildlife Park added the "safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority".

In an update issued on Sunday, the park said that the tiger had not been killed.

The statement 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 today 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."

South Yorkshire Police said it had "received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park" on Saturday afternoon.

"The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury," police said.

"Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene."

Yorkshire Wildlife Park was then evacuated and closed down for the rest of the weekend, officers and the park said.

Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary and MP for Doncaster North, said he was "deeply saddened" by the incident.

"I send my thoughts and deepest condolences to the family of the individual who died. I am very grateful to the emergency services and staff of the park who responded," he wrote in a social media post.

Ros Jones, Labour Mayor of Doncaster, added: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved at this immensely difficult time."

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009 and describes itself as a "walk-through wildlife adventure" that houses animals including lions, giraffes, tigers, leopards and black rhinos.

A 300 metre-long raised walkway runs through the 'Land of the Tigers' section, from which visitors can spot the animals roaming around, according to the park's website.

A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed two land ambulances, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor had attended the scene.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man dies after entering tiger enclosure at UK wildlife park