Man’s Final Words to Tiger Before Fatal Attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park Revealed

A man who was fatally mauled by an Amur tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park reportedly told the animal to “stop being naughty” after entering its enclosure, according to eyewitness accounts. Visitors said the man appeared detached from his surroundings as he approached the 200kg (30-stone) tiger, named Altai, while listening to music.

The incident happened on Saturday afternoon, October 10, at the wildlife attraction in Branton, Doncaster. South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the man had been visiting the park alone when he entered the reserve housing the tiger.

Witnesses said they watched in alarm as the man climbed into the enclosure. Some bystanders reportedly urged him to “play dead” as the animal approached, but he appeared not to respond to their warnings. Instead, he spoke to the tiger.

Other visitors recalled seeing the man dancing alone with headphones on shortly before the attack, while one eyewitness described his behaviour as resembling someone “in a trance” and “not attached to reality.”

Witnesses Describe the Moments Before the Attack

Anthony Hunt, who was visiting the reserve with his partner, Scarlett, said he noticed a sudden change in the tiger’s behaviour before realising that someone had entered its enclosure.

“We noticed the tiger’s behaviour change. Its eyes locked on to something in the enclosure,” Hunt said.

As Scarlett took photographs, the couple suddenly spotted the man inside the restricted area through the camera lens.

Hunt said the man’s actions seemed unusual. After entering the enclosure, he reportedly got down on all fours, prayed and looked up at the sky.

“The tiger was still on the landing at this point, but then leapt off the landing and sniffed the guy,” Hunt recalled.

The account offered a glimpse of the unsettling moments before the encounter turned fatal, as visitors watched from outside the enclosure.

Man Asked for Photographs Shortly Before Entering

Another visitor, Alex Underwood, recalled seeing the man on a raised bridge shortly before he climbed into the enclosure.

According to Underwood, the man asked his girlfriend to take photographs of him.

“He said ‘can you take a photo of me please?’. She said ‘yes’. Then he said ‘another one, another one’. He didn’t look into the camera. He looked at us both and said thank you,” Underwood said.

The man then entered the tiger’s enclosure, prompting an emergency response as witnesses attempted to understand what was happening.

Emergency services were called at around 1.30pm after visitors reported seeing him climb down and jump into the restricted area. A woman reportedly tried to pull him back, but he managed to get inside before the tiger attacked.

Two land ambulances, a doctor and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance attended the scene. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park Confirms Tiger Is Safe

Yorkshire Wildlife Park activated its emergency procedures following the attack. The park subsequently confirmed that Altai was safe and had not been injured during the incident.

Management also made clear that the tiger would not be euthanised.

The attraction remained closed over the weekend and on Monday, October 12, while staff members affected by the tragedy received specialist support.

South Yorkshire Police also addressed rumours about the animal’s condition, confirming that it had remained inside the enclosure and that there was no wider risk to the public.

The City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.

Animal Keeper Offers Possible Explanation for Tiger’s Behaviour

Animal keeper Reece Oliver told Sky News that the tiger may have been responding through predatory curiosity rather than acting with an immediate intention to kill.

“If it really wanted to kill him, it would have probably killed him within 10 seconds,” Oliver said.

He explained that the enclosure would ordinarily contain enrichment toys or food, suggesting the tiger may initially have treated the unexpected presence of a person as something unfamiliar to investigate.

“The only thing that goes into that enclosure normally would be enrichment toys or food. I think he was probably just playing, using his predatory instinct, seeing what it was, and unfortunately it ended up being a fatal attack,” he added.

Oliver’s comments offered a possible interpretation of the animal’s behaviour, although the circumstances of the attack remain subject to investigation.

Police Appeal After Videos Circulate Online

South Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers were called to Yorkshire Wildlife Park at 1.35pm on Saturday, October 10, following reports of a man entering the tiger enclosure.

In an earlier statement, the force said the tiger attacked the man, leaving him with serious injuries. Emergency services attended, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police later urged members of the public to respect the victim’s family and avoid sharing footage of the incident that had begun circulating online.

“Our thoughts are with [the family] at this distressing time. We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage,” the force said.

The appeal came as details of the fatal encounter spread, with authorities emphasising the distressing nature of the incident and the need to consider the family’s privacy.

Ed Miliband Pays Tribute to the Victim

Ed Miliband, the MP for Doncaster North, also expressed his condolences to the victim’s family.

He praised the swift response from emergency services and Yorkshire Wildlife Park staff following the attack.

As the investigation continues, the park’s management, local authorities and police are dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy. The tiger remains alive and uninjured, while investigators work to establish the circumstances that led the man to enter the enclosure.