Doncaster Council has confirmed it has launched a health and safety investigation into Yorkshire Wildlife Park following the fatal tiger attack that killed a man on Saturday. The park remained closed on Monday as enquiries continue into the incident, which occurred after the man entered the big cat's enclosure.
Dan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, confirmed the investigation in a statement, saying: "As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation."
Council working with multiple agencies
Swaine added that the council is working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and is supporting the park in response to the incident. He said: "At this time, we won't be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time."
He also expressed condolences, stating: "We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred this weekend and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone involved, including the family and loved ones of the person who tragically lost their life, those that witnessed the incident and the staff involved at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, as well as the emergency services who provided a swift response."
Local resident raises concerns about reaction
Earlier on Monday, Angela Seivewright, a local resident living near the park, raised concerns over reports suggesting the victim may have had additional needs, and that the public "seemed to care more about the tiger." Seivewright, who visited the park gates to lay flowers, said she had previously noticed adults with special needs at the park accompanied by carers who appeared to be "a bit distracted."
Seivewright said: "I believe that the person who was killed had additional needs. And, when I looked at social media over the weekend, when I said I hoped the person was OK, I got really bullied a lot – saying that he deserved to die. I have a special needs child and I think he was doing sign language to the tiger. So, it just felt it was really unfair that people were almost wishing him to die as opposed to not wanting anybody to be hurt."
She added: "So it was really upsetting. My daughter goes to school next door and we live around the corner. And I just thought there would be way more flowers here."
Questions over safety protocols
Seivewright, who holds a season ticket to the park, questioned whether staff did enough to save the man, saying: "I don't know if I would support them again. I just don't know if they took every opportunity to save him, his life, as opposed to maybe doing something to the tiger. I think it's a bit of an indictment on the community in terms that people seem to care more about the tiger. It just feels a bit sad that his death is not mourned more."
She also questioned the park's approach to visitors with additional needs, remarking: "It just seems that making additional needs a priority – it's a bit of a tick-box exercise. What mitigations did they have in place if they saw somebody with additional needs on his own near a dangerous animal?"
South Yorkshire Police will not be releasing the man's identity at his family's request, the Press Association understands.
Local councillors respond
Councillor Steve Cox, representing the Finningley ward which covers the wildlife park, told the Press Association: "I really feel for the staff, they've got protocols they have to go through. It's really sad, but I'm sure everybody did what they could."
Doncaster's deputy civic mayor, Councillor Nick Allen, who represents a neighbouring ward, commented: "We don't know all the circumstances yet and the speculation online is obviously upsetting and unneeded." He said he had been "really shocked about the tragic incident."
Emergency services were called just after 1.30pm on 10 October after the man entered the enclosure. He was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police confirmed, with his next of kin having been informed.
Park confirms tiger safe
In an earlier statement on social media, the wildlife park acknowledged that "many, many people" had enquired about Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, confirming he is "safe and well" and will not be put down. The park stated that its staff members were "deeply affected" by the incident and are currently receiving specialist support.
Footage circulating on social media appears to show a man being pawed at and wrestled with by Altai inside the tiger enclosure at the park. In separate clips, what appears to be the voice of the as-yet-unidentified man can be heard requesting that onlookers photograph him alongside the tiger, moments before the incident unfolded.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park first opened its doors to the public in 2009, with its Land of the Tigers attraction following two years later in 2011.
