Yorkshire tiger attack victim was told to 'play dead' by witnesses after he was seen 'praying and bowing'
A man who was killed after being mauled by a tiger at a zoo in Yorkshire was told to ‘play dead’ by horrified onlookers, witnesses have said.
Emergency services rushed to Yorkshire Wildlife Park shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday (10 October) following reports that a man had entered the enclosure.
South Yorkshire Police later confirmed that the man, who has not yet been identified, had died at the scene.
According to reports, moments before the attack, the man, who was visiting the park alone, had been seen dancing while wearing headphones and had asked visitors to take a photo of him with the Siberian tiger in the background.
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Witnesses said he then entered the enclosure and was seen ‘praying and bowing' on all fours in front of the animal.
Anthony Hunt told The Telegraph that one woman had attempted to hold the man back, but he ‘jumped off’.
Hogan added: “The man started praying to the tiger, bowing down to it – the tiger looked a bit confused.
“Up until he got attacked, it was like he was in a trance, not in reality at all. We were just stood there, frozen."
Ella Ford, was visiting the zoo with her boyfriend when the incident unfolded, speaking to the BBC, she said that ‘climbed a few barriers’ and eventually ‘jumped in and crawled in front of the tiger, where the tiger was perched and just lay there’.
She said that as the tiger grabbed the man he began ‘shouting for help’.
Other witnesses said the man appeared to do the gesture for ‘bad’ using the Makaton sign language system.
Eyewitnesses have also claimed that after the man entered the enclosure, the people gathered around began to frantically tell him to ‘play dead’ in the hopes the tiger - a male called Altai - would leave him alone.
Following the attack, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said in a statement that people had contacted them about Altai before confirming he will not be euthanised following the incident.
Update issued on investigation
It has now been confirmed that a health and safety investigation has been launched into the death.
This was confirmed by the licensing authority the City of Doncaster Council said.
Dan Swaine, Executive Director of Place at City of Doncaster Council, said: “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred this weekend.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone involved, including the family and loved ones of the person who tragically lost their life, those that witnessed the incident and the staff involved at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, as well as the emergency services who provided a swift response.
“As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation.
“We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident.
“At this time, we won’t be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time.”
Claire Reid