Man dies after being mauled by tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

A man died after suffering serious injuries in a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, South Yorkshire Police confirmed. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon, with shocking imagery has been circulating online. Here’s everything we know abotu what happened. What happened? Reports that a man jumped into the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park began circulating on social media on Saturday afternoon. Soon after, the park itself confirmed that emergency services were contacted after the man entered the enclosure and was “attacked” by the tiger shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday. Police later confirmed that the individual died after the incident. Shots were reportedly heard, but the Yorkshire Live reported that the tiger has survived and is still in the enclosure. A statement posted on the wildlife park social media reads: “We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred today at the tiger enclosure. “Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated and emergency services are currently attending the scene. “We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened.” A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesperson also confirmed that two land ambulances, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor attended the scene. Videos circulating online appear to show a man in a black sweater being pawed at and grappled by a tiger in the enclosure. South Yorkshire Police said: “We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this distressing footage.” A visitor to the park, Tia Hanson, told The Star she and a friend were at the scene when the area was closed off.She said: “It looks as if someone has jumped into the enclosure. People are saying they heard a gunshot and they say someone either jumped in, or fell in. “When you’re leaving you have to walk past the tiger enclosure and they’ve put up all sort of black tarpaulin so you couldn’t really see.” What else did the police say about the incident? South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the tiger remained in the enclosure and the Wildlife Park was subsequently evacuated. Yorkshire Police said: “At 1.35pm today (Saturday 10 October) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. “The tiger has subsequently attacked the man and this has resulted in serious injury. “Officers are working at pace to make contact with the man’s family and no further detail will be provided at this time. “The tiger remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public. “Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out enquiries.” Is the park still open? No, the park was immediately evacuated and shut for the rest of the day. It will also remain closed to the public on Sunday. The park said: “The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.” How many tigers does the park have? The park reportedly has two Amur tigers, a 17-stone female called Tschuna and a male called Altai. Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with the “Land of the Tigers” attraction opening in 2011. The attraction is on a purpose-built two-acre reserve for endangered Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 left in the wild. Photos of the enclosure on the park’s website shows a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.