ZOOKEEPERS at the wildlife park where a man jumped into the tiger enclosure and was mauled to death “did everything they could” to stop the horror.
Cops and paramedics raced to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, just after 1.30pm following reports that a man had jumped into a tiger enclosure.
The hero keepers managed to frighten away Siberian tiger Altai by firing gas-powered acoustic guns into the air causing him to retreat to a nearby shelter.
The big cat was then quickly secured but tragically the man was later declared dead at the scene.
One source told Manchester Evening News: “From start to end the incident was over within minutes. The keepers did everything they could. It’s horrific.”
Amy, of Wakefield, West Yorks, said she saw police officers with three female keepers who were “sitting on the floor. One had her head in her hands.”
The man reportedly posed for a photo with the big cat in the background just moments before tragedy struck.
It is thought he leapt from a viewing platform before big cat Altai dragged him away at Yorkshire Wildlife Park yesterday.
An eyewitness claimed the man was “happily enjoying seeing the tiger” and asked another visitor to take a photo of him with the cat in the background.
Marie wrote on Facebook: “20 minutes before today’s tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this tiger was sat in the sunshine.
“The man who I saw on the bridge with his EarPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger.
“He obviously wasn’t with anyone and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background. Probably the last photo on his phone.
“I’m not sure if he was with a carer or family member but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger.
“Tragic for the family. Tragic for the staff who were brilliant but in shock.
“Thankfully the tiger survived.”
The man has not yet been identified and it is not known why he entered the enclosure.
Another witness also claimed the man, who had a mobile phone and was wearing Apple Airpods, appeared to “psyche himself up” by doing a “dance” in the spectator area before entering the enclosure.
Other zoogoers are believed to have tried to stop the man from clambering into the enclosure, with one woman heard on the mauling video saying: “I tried to stop him.”
Black screens were put up around the visitors’ path to prevent people from seeing the grisly scene as the park was evacuated.
An air ambulance was spotted circling before landing close to the “Land of the Tigers” enclosure.
It is surrounded by a five-metre-high fence. A viewing platform sat atop the fence at one corner has a metre-high “stand-off” fence, which it is thought the man climbed over.
South Yorkshire Police said: “At 1.35pm on Saturday we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The tiger subsequently attacked the man.
“Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers.
“Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.”
A spokesman confirmed the tiger was unharmed and there was no wider risk to the public.
The animal is not set to be put down.
The spokesman added: “Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out inquiries.
“We are aware of videos circulating online and would encourage people not to share this footage.”
The wildlife park will remain closed today.
Altai was brought to the park to mate with their only other tiger, a female Siberian called Tschuna.
Their enclosure is set in two acres of reserve and contains woodlands and a waterfall pool.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park posted a statement saying: “Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated.
“We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority.”
