A man died after being attacked by a Siberian tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday afternoon, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. when the unidentified man, believed to be in his 20s, entered the tiger enclosure in what witnesses described as a deliberate act.
According to multiple accounts, the man climbed over a fence or viewing platform barrier and entered the pen housing Altai, a three-year-old Siberian tiger who had arrived at the park in February 2025 from Dyreparken Zoo in Norway. Visitors described seeing the man kneeling and attempting to interact with the tiger, at one point pointing and yelling phrases such as “Stop, stop” and “No, no” before the animal attacked. Footage circulating on social media showed the tiger, weighing approximately 30 stones (190 kg), biting the man’s chest and dragging him by the neck across the grass.
Park staff and emergency responders rushed to the scene. Zoo keepers fired multiple loud acoustic deterrent blasts near the tiger, aiming to scare it off, while emergency medical teams deployed on site attempted resuscitation efforts. Despite these efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities stated the tiger sustained no injuries and remained within the enclosure. Police confirmed the man’s family has been notified and is receiving support.
South Yorkshire Police said there was no ongoing risk to the public following the incident. The wildlife park was evacuated and subsequently closed for the remainder of the weekend, with black tarpaulin screens erected around the enclosure to shield the scene from view. Specialist officers are conducting inquiries to establish the exact circumstances leading to the man’s entry into the enclosure.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene, with some reporting attempts to distract the tiger to protect the victim. One visitor noted the man appeared to “psyche himself up” before entering the enclosure, while others suggested he may have been attempting to play with the animal. The tiger, Altai, is one of two Siberian tigers at the park, which houses the animals in a two-acre reserve designed to mimic their natural habitat, including woodlands and a waterfall pool.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park issued a statement affirming that emergency protocols were activated immediately and that the safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff, and animals remain a top priority. The park opened in 2009, with its “Land of the Tigers” section debuting in 2011, and features a 980-foot-long walkway allowing visitors to observe the tigers roaming freely within the enclosure.
The circumstances of the incident, including the man’s motives for entering the dangerous setting, remain under investigation. Police have asked the public not to share video footage of the attack, citing respect for the victim’s family and ongoing inquiries.