Tiger that killed man at Yorkshire wildlife park will not be euthanised

A tiger fatally injured a man who entered its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster in northern England, on Saturday. On Sunday the park confirmed the tiger, named Altai, will not be euthanised. The man has not yet been publicly named.

What happened

South Yorkshire Police received a call at 1.35pm on Saturday after the man was seen entering the tiger enclosure. According to police, the tiger attacked him and caused serious injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said his family was informed on Saturday and is being supported by specialist officers. The force urged people not to share videos of the incident that have been circulating online.

Response from the park and officials

In its statement, the park called the incident tragic and expressed sympathy for the man's family. It was closed on Sunday, and staff who were deeply affected will receive specialist support. The park said Altai is safe and well.

Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary and MP for Doncaster North, said he was deeply saddened, offered condolences to the family and thanked the emergency services and park staff.

Witness accounts

Visitor Marie Miller wrote on Facebook that she had seen the man before the incident, enjoying watching the tiger, and that he had asked a stranger to photograph him with the animal behind him. Another visitor, who asked not to be identified, told the South West News Service that the evacuation of the park was frightening and confusing. She said she had heard the man was 22, but could not confirm it.

About the park

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, and its Land of the Tigers attraction followed in 2011. It is built on a purpose-made 2-acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with about 500 left in the wild.