Man killed by tiger after entering enclosure, Yorkshire Wildlife Park stays closed

A 47‑year‑old man died after a rare Amur tiger named Altai attacked him when he climbed into its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. The park was shut for the weekend after reports that the man descended from a walkway on Saturday afternoon, and it remains closed for a third day while police investigate. An eyewitness said the man was wearing headphones and pacing near the enclosure before he entered and was attacked. South Yorkshire Police confirmed he died at the scene and offered support to his family. A park spokesperson said the enclosure will stay closed and thanked the public for their understanding. The tiger was not euthanised and remains in the same enclosure. Cars were seen entering the park but no visitors were allowed inside. Ticket holders were told they would be contacted within five days to reschedule. Angela Seivewright, 47, of Bawtry laid flowers at the gates and spoke about the distress caused by online videos and the angry reactions she received when she expressed sympathy for the victim. Police warned against sharing the footage circulating online. Dr Campbell Murn, a former zoo expert committee member and University of Reading lecturer, said determined people can breach zoo security despite modern safeguards and stressed that public safety is a major concern for UK zoos. The Born Free Foundation called for an urgent review of how the man accessed the enclosure, with co‑founder Will Travers warning that close contact with dangerous wild animals creates an unnatural and risky situation. ## Context Amur tigers are an endangered species often kept in European zoo breeding programmes, which aim to balance public education with strict safety measures. Zoos regularly review enclosure designs after incidents to prevent future breaches.