A mother attempted to stop the man who was killed by a tiger from jumping into its zoo enclosure, witnesses have said.
Anthony Hunt and his girlfriend Scarlet Hogan, who were visiting Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday, told The Telegraph that the woman “desperately tried to pull back” the victim as he tried to jump into the compound.
The man overpowered the woman, who was with her two children at the time, and leapt from a bridge into the tiger pen, Mr Hunt told the newspaper.
“The man started praying to the tiger, bowing down to it – the tiger looked a bit confused,” Ms Hogan said. “Up until he got attacked, it was like he was in a trance, not in reality at all.”
“He had arms wide open ready for the tiger to attack him. It was quite bad. We were just stood there, frozen... the last thing we saw was the tiger’s jaw on his neck,” she added.
Did you see what happened? Contact james.reynolds@independent.co.uk
Read MoreYorkshire Wildlife Park expected to open after fatal tiger attack
Tiger will not be euthanised after fatal attack on man – wildlife park
Key Points
- Mother 'tried to stop man from jumping into enclosure' - witnesses
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park expected to open after fatal tiger attack
- Man killed by tiger posed for photo with animal before climbing into pen - witnesses
- Police urge people not to share footage on social media
- Recap: Visitor recounts hearing gunshots as helicopters circled overhead
Man killed by tiger at Yorkshire zoo posed for photo with big cat before jumping in enclosure
07:30 , Namita SinghThe man who was killed after climbing into a tiger enclosure had posed for a picture with the animal in the background before entering the pen, witnesses have said.
Police were called after reports the man entered the enclosure at a zoo in Yorkshire at around 1:35pm on Saturday.
Visitors were evacuated from the park and air ambulances scrambled, but the man was later pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police said.
Witnesses have described how shots were fired in a bid to distract the tiger and allow emergency services to enter the enclosure. Speaking to The Mirror, one said: "Shots were fired into the air to make a noise and distract the tiger. The animal wasn't shot and is absolutely fine and not injured.
Report:
Man killed by tiger posed for photo with animal before climbing into pen - witnesses
Man pawed at and grappled by tiger in Yorkshire Wildlife Park
06:00 , Namita SinghDuring the incident on Saturday, a man was attacked by the Amur tiger after he entered its enclosure.
Videos circulating online appear to show a man being pawed at and grappled by Altai in the tiger enclosure at the park, near Doncaster.
Another video from before the attack appears to feature the voice of the as-yet-unidentified man asking people to take a photo of him with the tiger.
A police spokesperson said on Saturday: “At 1.35pm, we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.” The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury.
“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.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park expected to open after fatal tiger attack
04:30 , Namita SinghYorkshire Wildlife Park is expected to open on Monday after a man was fatally attacked by a tiger when he entered the enclosure on Saturday.
Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on 10 October when the man entered the enclosure and was set upon by the tiger.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police have said, adding that his family were informed.
In a statement on social media on Sunday, the wildlife park said “many, many people” had contacted them about Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, and it confirmed he is “safe and well” and will not be euthanised.
It added that members of park staff were “deeply affected” by the incident and received specialist support.
The park was evacuated soon after the incident and remained closed on Sunday.
According to the Press Association, the park is expected to open on Monday but it is unclear whether the tiger enclosure will be open as normal.
Man killed by tiger posed for photo with animal before climbing into pen - witnesses
03:00 , James ReynoldsThe man who was killed after climbing into a tiger enclosure had posed for a picture with the animal in the background before entering the pen, witnesses have said.
Witnesses have described how the man appeared to be “psyching himself up” and “dancing” while listening to music through his AirPods before entering the enclosure.
"The man who I saw on the bridge with his AirPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger,” one woman said. “He obviously wasn't with anyone and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background.
"Probably the last photo on his phone. I'm not sure if he was with a carer or family member but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger.”
Context: Tiger who attacked man in Yorkshire enclosure ‘was endangered species who had joined from zoo in Norway last year’
02:00 , James ReynoldsThe tiger involved in Saturday’s incident arrived at the park in March 2025, travelling over 1,135 miles from his previous home at the Norwegian Zoo, Dyreparken, according to Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Speaking at the time, director of animals, Charlotte MacDonald said: “We are delighted with Altai. He is a beautiful, huge cat and very calm and receptive, his keepers at Dyreparken have clearly done a great job with him.
She added: “He is very curious and interested in what is going on and I am sure he will be a massive hit with our visitors.”
Read the full story:
Tiger who attacked man in Yorkshire enclosure pictured for first time
Zoo shares sympathies with family of man who lost his life
01:00 , James ReynoldsYorkshire Wildlife Park on Sunday expressed their thoughts and sympathies with the family of the man who sadly lost his life at the zoo this weekend.
“We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident,” they said in a statement.
“The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support,” the statement added.
“Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.”
Zoo remains closed for the weekend, reopening unclear
Monday 12 October 2026 00:00 , James ReynoldsThe zoo said on Saturday it would remain closed for the remainder of the weekend, confirming on Sunday intentions to stay closed through the day.
In their latest statement, the zoo says: “The park will be closed today whilst 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.”
It remains unclear whether the zoo will reopen on Monday morning from current communciations.
Police urge people not to share footage on social media
Sunday 11 October 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsPolice have urged people not to share distressing footage of the incident circulating on social media.
In a statement, South Yorkshire Police said it is “aware of footage circulating online” and asked people not to engage with it.
Mother 'tried to stop man from jumping into enclosure' - witnesses
Sunday 11 October 2026 22:16 , James ReynoldsA mother attempted to stop the man who was killed by a tiger from jumping into its zoo enclosure, witnesses have said.
Anthony Hunt and his girlfriend Scarlet Hogan, who were visiting Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday, told The Telegraph that the woman “desperately tried to pull back” the victim as he tried to jump into the compound.
The man overpowered the woman, who was with her two children at the time, and leapt from a bridge into the tiger pen, Mr Hunt told the newspaper.
“The man started praying to the tiger, bowing down to it – the tiger looked a bit confused,” Ms Hogan said. “Up until he got attacked, it was like he was in a trance, not in reality at all.”
“He had arms wide open ready for the tiger to attack him. It was quite bad. We were just stood there, frozen... the last thing we saw was the tiger’s jaw on his neck,” she added.
Recap: Visitor recounts hearing gunshots as helicopters circled overhead
Sunday 11 October 2026 22:00 , James ReynoldsKarmelle Pelham, from Worksop, told the BBC she was on a family day out at the park when it was evacuated.
She said they were in a lemur enclosure when they were told to leave, before being ushered “further and further into the park”.
They heard what sounded like several gunshots before seeing helicopters circling overhead.
“There was big black tarpaulin over the tiger enclosure,” she recounted, adding that staff handled the incident well.
“They did a great job of getting us out without panicking anyone.”
Witness heard four gunshots before air ambulance arrived
Sunday 11 October 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsOne witness, named only as Becky told The Mirror on Saturday that she was at the zoo with her children when they were evacuated due to the incident in the tiger enclosure.
“We were at the tiger enclosure 10 minutes before the incident happened,” she says.
"We heard four gun shots, but didn't think anything of it until we heard the air ambulance trying to land and then one of the park staff approached us and told us we had to leave the park.”
Recap: Man reportedly 'psyched himself up' with dance before entering enclosure, witnesses say
Sunday 11 October 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsWitnesses have said the man killed after entering a tiger enclosure on Saturday had been seen “psyching himself up” listening to music and dancing beforehand.
One witness told the Mail on Sunday the man, who had a mobile phone and was wearing AirPods, appeared to 'psyche himself up' by performing a 'dance' in the spectator area.
Speaking to The Mirror, one woman said she saw him dancing with his AirPods in around 20 minutes before the horror incident.
"The man who I saw on the bridge with his AirPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger,” she said. “He obviously wasn't with anyone and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background.”
"Probably the last photo on his phone. I'm not sure if he was with a carer or family member but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger.”
Man killed by tiger ‘posed for photo with animal before entering pen’
Sunday 11 October 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsThe man who was killed after climbing into a tiger enclosure had posed for a picture with the animal in the background before entering the pen, witnesses have said.
Witnesses have described how shots were fired in a bid to distract the tiger and allow emergency services to enter the enclosure. Speaking to The Mirror, one said: "Shots were fired into the air to make a noise and distract the tiger. The animal wasn't shot and is absolutely fine and not injured.
"The barriers are huge. You would have to really want to get inside the enclosure to be able to do it. From start to end the incident was over within minutes. The keepers did everything they could. It's horrific."
Man killed by tiger posed for photo with animal before climbing into pen - witnesses
Tiger was 'endangered species that joined the zoo last year'
Sunday 11 October 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsThe tiger who attacked and killed a man after he climbed into its enclosure at a Yorkshire zoo on Saturday is an endangered species and joined the park last year from Norway.
In a fresh statement on Sunday morning, the park confirmed the tiger involved is named Altai, an endangered Amur tiger. Zookeepers also confirmed Altai would not be euthanised following the tragedy, adding the tiger is “safe and well”.
Altai arrived at the park in March 2025, travelling over 1,135 miles from his previous home at the Norwegian Zoo, Dyreparken, according to Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Speaking at the time, director of animals, Charlotte MacDonald said: “We are delighted with Altai. He is a beautiful, huge cat and very calm and receptive, his keepers at Dyreparken have clearly done a great job with him.”
She added: “He is very curious and interested in what is going on and I am sure he will be a massive hit with our visitors.”
The full story: Man dies after tiger attack at Yorkshire zoo
Sunday 11 October 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsA man died on Saturday after climbing into a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Police confirmed the victim tragically passed away after sustaining serious injuries.
The zoo has since said the animal will not be euthanised and was unharmed.
Here’s the story in full:
Man dies after tiger attack at Yorkshire zoo
What do we know about the victim?
Sunday 11 October 2026 16:55 , James ReynoldsPolice have been able to contact the victim’s family, but have not shared any information about his identity.
Local reports describe a man in his 20s, although this has not been confirmed in official correspondence from either the zoo or emergency services.
Video shared widely on social media shows a man in a black jumper in an enclosure with a tiger.
Despite speculation on social media, there remains no official report on the man’s motive.
Several different names have unhelpfully been published on social media, purporting to identify the victim.
Tickets remain on sale for wildlife park on Monday
Sunday 11 October 2026 16:01 , Nicole Wootton-CaneTickets remain on sale for visitors to go to Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Monday.
The park is currently closed following Saturday’s tragic incident, in which a man sadly died after entering the tiger enclosure.
The park has not yet confirmed it will reopen on Monday, but said it would be closed for the weekend.
Tiger who attacked man in Yorkshire enclosure pictured
Sunday 11 October 2026 15:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe tiger who attacked and killed a man after he climbed into its enclosure at a Yorkshire zoo on Saturday is an endangered species and joined the park last year from Norway.
Emergency services raced to Yorkshire Wildlife Park shortly after 1:30pm on Saturday after reports the man had entered the tiger enclosure. Police said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a fresh statement on Sunday morning, the park confirmed the tiger involved is named Altai, an endangered Amur tiger. Zookeepers also confirmed Altai would not be euthanised following the tragedy, adding the tiger is “safe and well”.
Staff at park receiving specialist support, zoo says
Sunday 11 October 2026 14:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZookeepers who witnessed Saturday’s incident at a wildlife park in Yorkshire are receiving specialist support, the zoo has said.
“Hero” zookeepers reportedly fired shots into the air to distract the tiger during the fatal attack, according to witnesses.
In a statement on Sunday, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said: “We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life.
“The park will be closed today and the staff team who were deeply affected by events will receive specialist support.”
Where is Yorkshire Wildlife Park?
Sunday 11 October 2026 13:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWitnesses heard 'gunshots' before air ambulance arrived
Sunday 11 October 2026 12:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWitnesses reported hearing “gunshots” before the air ambulance arrived on Saturday.
Becky, from Doncaster, told The Mirror she was at the zoo with her children when they were evacuated due to the incident in the tiger enclosure.
“We were at the tiger enclosure 10 minutes before the incident happened,” she said.
"We heard four gun shots, but didn't think anything of it until we heard the air ambulance trying to land and then one of the park staff approached us and told us we had to leave the park.”
Police have said the tiger was uninjured and remained in the enclosure.
Man killed by tiger at Yorkshire zoo posed for photo with animal before climbing into enclosure, say witnesses
Sunday 11 October 2026 12:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe man who was killed after climbing into a tiger enclosure had posed for a picture with the animal in the background before entering the pen, witnesses have said.
Police were called after reports the man entered the enclosure at a zoo in Yorkshire at around 1:35pm on Saturday. Visitors were evacuated from the park and air ambulances scrambled, but the man was later pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police said.
Witnesses have described how shots were fired in a bid to distract the tiger and allow emergency services to enter the enclosure. Speaking to The Mirror, one said: "Shots were fired into the air to make a noise and distract the tiger. The animal wasn't shot and is absolutely fine and not injured.”
You can read more below:
Man killed by tiger posed for photo with animal before climbing into pen - witnesses
