A man was killed by a tiger after entering the animal’s enclosure at a zoo in the United Kingdom. The attack occurred in front of visitors and led to the evacuation of the entire park. Police are now investigating how the man was able to access the deadly predator.

The fatal attack happened on Saturday, 10 October at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster in northern England. New witness accounts now provide a clearer picture of the dramatic events.

According to The Independent, which refers to information from The Telegraph, a woman at the scene with her two children reportedly tried to pull the man back as he approached the tiger enclosure. However, the man broke free and jumped from a bridge down into the predator’s area.

Witnesses also describe how, just before the incident, the man had been dancing while listening to music on his headphones. He reportedly asked a stranger to take a photo of him with the tiger in the background.

Bowed Before the Tiger

Anthony Hunt and his girlfriend Scarlet Hogan, who visited the zoo, witnessed the event. Hogan recounts that the man began to bow down before the tiger once he was inside the enclosure.

– The man began to pray to the tiger and bowed before it. The tiger appeared a little confused, she told the newspaper.

She describes the man as absent-minded and says he stood with his arms outstretched in front of the animal. Shortly thereafter, the tiger attacked and bit him in the neck.

Police in South Yorkshire confirm that the man’s injuries were so severe that he died at the scene. Why he chose to jump into the enclosure is still unclear.

Witnesses Heard Loud Bangs – Area Was Covered

The incident took place while the zoo was open to the public and several families with children were in the area. Staff quickly initiated an evacuation as rescue work continued.

39-year-old Karmelle Pelham from Worksop was visiting the park with her family when staff announced that everyone had to leave the area. She told the BBC that she heard noises reminiscent of gunshots and saw an air ambulance helicopter circling above the park.

When she looked towards the tiger enclosure, she saw that a large black tarpaulin had been put up to block the view into the area. Despite the dramatic situation, she praised the staff’s actions and described the evacuation as very well-organized.

The Tiger Will Not Be Euthanised

The tiger was not injured during the incident and remained inside its enclosure. Police have also stated that there was no further danger to the public. Zoo management later confirmed that the tiger will not be euthanised, according to The Guardian.

The park immediately activated its emergency procedures and remained closed for the rest of the weekend. In a statement, management expressed their condolences to the man’s family and said they are cooperating with authorities to clarify the circumstances.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who also represents the Doncaster North constituency in Parliament, has expressed sorrow over the death and extended condolences to the relatives. He also thanked the emergency services and zoo staff for their efforts.

MP Lee Pitcher, who represents Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme, has also expressed his sympathy and praised the quick actions of the rescue personnel.

Endangered Tiger Species Kept in Special Area

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009 and inaugurated its special tiger area, Land of the Tigers, two years later. Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, an endangered subspecies, are kept there.

The tiger enclosure covers about 8,000 square meters and has been designed to allow the animals to move around in an environment with vegetation and open spaces. Visitors can normally view the tigers from an elevated walkway, separated from the animals’ area by safety arrangements.

How the man managed to enter the enclosure is a central question in the ongoing investigation. The police have yet to present any conclusions about the chain of events.

The man’s family has been notified of the death and is receiving support from specially trained police officers.

Below you can see parts of the sequence of events. Sensitive viewers are warned.