UK wildlife park to remain closed after man's death in tiger enclosure

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has said it will remain closed as investigations continue after a man was fatally mauled by a tiger.

The Doncaster park was evacuated soon after the incident on Saturday, which unfolded after the man entered the tiger enclosure.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police said.

It was understood the park would reopen on Monday after it was evacuated following the incident and remained closed on Sunday.

However, in a message sent to ticket holders, the park said it would be closed for the "whole of Monday".

It is still unclear if the tiger enclosure will be open as normal when the park reopens.

Videos circulating online appear to show a man being pawed at and grappled by the Amur tiger, called Altai, inside the enclosure.

Another appears to have the voice of the man, who has not yet been identified, asking people to take a photo of him with Altai.

Animal keeper Reece Oliver told Sky News the 30-stone (200kg) tiger was probably "just playing" when it began pawing the man.

"If it really wanted to kill him, it would have probably killed him within 10 seconds," he said.

"I don't think it knew what he was going to do, because the only thing that goes into that enclosure normally would be enrichment toys or food.

"So, I think he was probably just playing, using his predatory instinct, seeing what it was, what he was, and unfortunately it ended up being a fatal attack."

In a statement on social media on Sunday, the park said "many, many people" had contacted them about Altai, and confirmed he is "safe and well" and will not be euthanised.

Members of park staff were "deeply affected" by the incident and are receiving specialist support, the park added.

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On Saturday, a police spokesperson said: "At 1.35pm, we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

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

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with the Land of the Tigers attraction opening in 2011.

The attraction is a purpose-built, two-acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with a population of around 500 left in the wild.

Photos of the enclosure on the park's website show a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.

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