A man sustained serious injuries following an attack by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on the weekend. South Yorkshire Police responded to an emergency call at 13:35 BST after receiving reports that a man had entered the tiger enclosure at the attraction.
The force confirmed that the tiger attacked the man, resulting in significant injury. Officers were working to contact the victim's family at the time of the incident. Emergency services deployed substantial resources to the scene, with Yorkshire Ambulance Service sending an air ambulance, two land ambulances, and a doctor to provide medical assistance.
Following the attack, the park was evacuated and police remained at the scene to investigate the circumstances. In a statement, park management said its emergency response procedures had been activated immediately and that staff were cooperating with authorities to establish the full sequence of events. The facility announced it would remain closed for the remainder of the weekend.
What happened at the enclosure?
The tiger remained in its enclosure after the incident, and police confirmed there was no wider public safety risk. The park's Land of the Tigers area, which opened in 2011, is designed to allow the big cats to roam woodlands and grasslands or swim in a waterfall pool. According to reports from the incident, the park is home to two tigers named Tschuna and Altai, who arrived in March 2025.
What is the park's response?
Park management emphasised that the safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff, and animals remain their highest priority. Police asked the public not to share what they described as distressing footage of the attack circulating online. According to the park's website, the facility would remain closed on Sunday, 11 October, with no reopening date initially provided.
What animals does the park house?
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which opened in April 2009, is home to a diverse collection of large carnivores and other species. Beyond the tigers in Land of the Tigers, the park maintains lions, leopards, cheetahs, polar bears, brown bears, and sea lions. The tiger enclosure itself has been a feature of the park since 2011, providing the animals with a naturalistic habitat combining woodland, grassland, and water features.
Key Facts
- A man was seriously injured after entering the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster
- The attack occurred on the weekend; South Yorkshire Police responded at 13:35 BST
- The park houses two tigers, Tschuna and Altai, who arrived in March 2025
- Emergency services deployed an air ambulance, two land ambulances, and a doctor
- The park remained closed on Sunday, 11 October with no immediate reopening date announced
