‘Serious incident’ at tiger enclosure in Yorkshire Wildlife Park

The park confirmed there had been a ‘serious incident’ (Alamy/PA)Stanley Murphy-Johns1 minute agoA man has sustained “serious injuries” after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, police have said.

Emergency services were contacted after the man entered the enclosure and was “attacked” by the tiger shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday.

Videos circulating online appear to show a man being pawed at and grappled by a tiger in an enclosure at the park.

South Yorkshire Police (SYP) have said the tiger remained in the enclosure and the Wildlife Park was subsequently evacuated.

A police spokesperson 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.”

A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesperson also confirmed that two land ambulances, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor attended the scene.

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.

“The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.”

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.

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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.

SYP have said they are aware of the footage online and have asked people not to share it.