WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: A man has been mauled to death at a zoo in Yorkshire after reportedly leaping off a viewing platform and into a tiger’s enclosure
A terrified mum says she saw a “pool of blood” after a man was mauled to death by a tiger. It is thought the man leapt from a viewing platform and entered the animal’s zoo enclosure before big cat Altai attacked.
Witnesses said “you could see blood” and the tiger “dragging the man” by the neck on Saturday afternoon at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster.
Unsettling footage shows the man yelling “no, no, no” as the giant predator launched at him repeatedly. The man died from his injuries at the scene after the distressing incident which unfolded in front of families and children.
Midwife Amy Wright, 36, was at the park with her husband and two children, aged six and three. She told The Sun: “You could see the blood where the tiger had dragged the man. Someone who saw it said it had him by the neck. There was a lot of blood. People were shouting to try and distract it.
“We heard the gunshots. There were two, one after the other in quick succession. We headed for the exit but to get there you have to pass the tigers’ enclosure.”
Police and ambulances rushed to the park shortly after the alarm was raised at 1.35pm yesterday. An air ambulance was spotted and dropping into the ‘Land of the Tigers’ enclosure.
The area is cordoned off by a huge five metre fence but features a ‘viewing platform’ on one of its corners. The platform had a one-metre “stand off” fence, which it is thought the man jumped over.
South Yorkshire Police said: “At 1.35pm on Saturday we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The tiger subsequently attacked the man.
“Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.”
A spokesman confirmed the tiger was unharmed and there was no wider risk to the public. The animal is not set to be put down. The spokesman added: “Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out inquiries.
“We are aware of videos circulating online and would encourage people not to share this footage.”