‘Could you...’: Last words of man killed in Yorkshire Wildlife Park tiger attack revealed

A man in his 20s who died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England reportedly asked a woman to take his photograph with a tiger in the background shortly before the fatal incident.

According to a report by Haberler, the man approached the woman and asked: “Could you take a photo of me with the tiger behind me?” He reportedly thanked the woman before jumping into the enclosure, which houses endangered Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Wildlife Park told the BBC that the tiger involved in the incident, named Altai, remained in its enclosure and would not be euthanised. The wildlife park remained closed for a third consecutive day on Monday, October 12, following the incident.

What happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park?

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 10. According to eyewitness accounts, the man climbed into the enclosure housing the endangered tigers and appeared to attempt to interact with one of the animals. South Yorkshire Police said it received reports of the incident at around 1:35 pm local time. The man had entered the tiger enclosure and was attacked by the animal, sustaining serious injuries. The situation escalated within moments, with the tiger attacking the man.

Despite the efforts of emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed that two land ambulances, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor attended the scene.

Authorities initially withheld the man's identity and said the circumstances surrounding his entry into the restricted area remained under investigation.

Videos purportedly showing the encounter later circulated widely on social media, prompting the police to issue an advisory asking public not to share the disturbing footage. Investigators have not publicly established why the man entered the enclosure or how he accessed the restricted area.

No harm reported to the tiger

Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the tiger was not injured and remained inside its enclosure following the incident. The force also said there was no wider risk to the public.

The wildlife park was evacuated after the attack, and police confirmed that the deceased man's family had been informed. The force expressed its condolences to the family.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park said the safety and wellbeing of its visitors, staff and animals remained its highest priority. The park subsequently announced that it would remain closed on Sunday, October 11. Its closure continued into Monday as authorities and the attraction responded to the incident.

More about Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009 and has since become a prominent wildlife attraction in South Yorkshire, England. One of its key attractions is Land of the Tigers, which opened in 2011. The area houses Amur tigers and is designed to provide them with a dedicated habitat while allowing visitors to observe the animals from designated viewing areas. The park's facilities are intended to separate visitors from the animals, making barriers and designated viewing areas essential to maintaining safety.

Where are endangered Amur tigers found?

Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are native to the Russian Far East and parts of northeastern Asia. The species is classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Habitat loss, poaching and declining prey populations are among the major threats facing wild Amur tigers.

The fatal incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park has drawn attention to visitor safety at wildlife attractions and the importance of maintaining secure enclosures and following safety rules.