A man died on Saturday after entering the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. Witnesses say he was seen dancing with AirPods in beforehand, but police haven’t said why he went in.
A man died on Saturday, October 10, after entering the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster in South Yorkshire.
South Yorkshire Police said they received reports at 1:35 pm that a man had entered the enclosure. “The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury,” a spokesperson said. Medical staff tried to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been told. The park was evacuated.
Police haven’t named him or said why he went in. He’s believed to have been in his 20s, according to reports.
What witnesses say he was doing beforehand
A witness told The Mail on Sunday that the man was wearing AirPods and carrying a phone. They said he did a “dance” in the viewing area and appeared to “psyche himself up” before climbing the fence. The same witness described him as “agitated.” VT quotes another eyewitness who saw him “dancing with his EarPods in” before he allegedly jumped from a viewing platform into the enclosure. Yorkshire Live reported a different impression, describing him as “dancing happily with AirPods in” before “wanting to play.”
Witnesses’ impressions also differ on how the man got in, with police have only said that he “entered” the enclosure.
How staff and emergency services responded
Visitors described the scene as “frightening and confusing.” One visitor told LADbible that staff were “running around” and sending people to the exits without giving any explanation. Some visitors reported loud bangs. The Star reported that the sounds were believed to be a gas canister and tranquilliser darts.
VT reports that park rangers acted quickly to secure the tiger. Onlookers said the keepers “did everything they could.” Yorkshire Ambulance Service sent two ambulances and an air ambulance.
The tiger involved is an Amur tiger named Altai and came to the park from Norway in February 2025 at the age of three. Police said he wasn’t injured and stayed in the enclosure.
On Sunday, the park said Altai is safe and won’t be put down. “Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger,” it said. It thanked people for their concern after “yesterday’s tragic incident.” The park remained closed for the rest of the weekend.
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