The tiger that mauled a man to death at Yorkshire Wildlife Park will not be euthanised, the park has confirmed.
Emergency services were called on Saturday afternoon after the man entered the animal’s enclosure. Paramedics and a medical helicopter attended, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police said.
The park was evacuated and remained closed for the rest of the weekend.
In a statement, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said the tiger, named Altai, was “safe and well” and would not be put down as a result of the incident.
“Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger,” the park said. “We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.”
Witnesses reported that the man had been dancing while wearing AirPods before climbing into the enclosure. One visitor said he had asked a stranger to take a photograph of him with the tiger in the background, although it was unclear whether he had been accompanied by a carer or family member.
Other visitors said they heard four gunshots before being asked to leave the park, and that the incident was over within minutes.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park said its staff had been “deeply affected by the events” and would receive specialist support.
The park’s Land Of The Tigers attraction opened in 2011 and is built on a two-acre reserve. It houses Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 remaining in the wild.
Police said they were aware of footage of the fatal mauling circulating online and urged people not to share it.
