Animal keeper shares disturbing theory about tiger that killed man at Yorkshire zoo
An animal keeper has shared a terrifying theory about the behaviour of a tiger following the death of a man who entered the tiger enclosure at a zoo in Yorkshire.
The man, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene after entering the tiger enclosure, where eyewitnesses say that he had asked to have a picture taken with an Amur tiger called Altai.
Terrifying footage of the incident has circulated on social media, with the video showing Altai pawing at the man in the attack, which happened just after 1:30pm on Saturday (10 October).
Emergency services were called to the scene, but sadly, the man was pronounced dead at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday.
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Now, animal keeper Reece Oliver has shared a theory about the behaviour of Altai the tiger, who weighs some 200kg, saying that at first the tiger had likely been 'just playing'.
"If it really wanted to kill him, it would have probably killed him within 10 seconds," he told Sky News.
"I don't think it knew what he was going to do, because the only thing that goes into that enclosure normally would be enrichment toys or food."
He added: "So, I think he was probably just playing, using his predatory instinct, seeing what it was, what he was, and unfortunately it ended up being a fatal attack."
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said in a statement released on Saturday: "At 1.35pm, we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
"Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene."
Following the tragedy, the park was closed from Saturday through Sunday, and is expected to reopen later, though it is not clear whether the tiger enclosure will be open.
The park also released a statement on Sunday, clarifying that the tiger will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.
"We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident," said the statement.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
"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."
South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the family of the man who died have been informed.
They added that the tiger was 'uninjured' and poses 'no wider risk to the public'.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, and the tiger exhibit, called Land of the Tigers, opened two years later in 2011.
It is situated on a purpose-built reserve of two acres for Amur Tigers, of which only around 500 remain in the wild.
Kit Roberts