Video footage captures the voice of an unidentified man minutes before he was mauled to death by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. In what is believed to be the last known recording of him, the man approaches a couple and asks, "Can you grab a shot of me with the tiger?"
The footage shows the tiger within its enclosure while the man's identity remains unclear. A woman agrees to help before he can be heard asking for "one more". He thanks her for her assistance, and the recording concludes. It is believed to be the final known footage of him before the fatal incident.
Emergency Response and Confirmation of Death
Emergency services were called shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday October 10 when the man entered the enclosure and was attacked by the tiger, according to reports from the Express. He was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) confirmed, adding that his family had been informed.
Further videos circulating online seemingly show a man being struck and grabbed by a tiger within an enclosure at the park. Authorities have urged the public not to share these videos. The tiger was unharmed and remained within the enclosure following the incident.
Police Statement and Park Closure
A police spokesman said: "At 1.35pm today (Saturday October 10) 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."
The spokesman added: "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." A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed that two land ambulances, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor were dispatched to the scene.
Background on the Park and Tiger Enclosure
Yorkshire Wildlife Park first opened in 2009, with the Land of the Tigers attraction following in 2011. The exhibit features a purpose-built two-acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with roughly 500 left in the wild. Photographs of the enclosure on the park's website show an elevated walkway for visitors and protective barriers above the section where the tigers are kept.
In the wake of the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park released a statement: "The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow." The park was evacuated shortly after the incident, and it was later confirmed that the attraction would remain closed on Sunday.
