A statement from the park states that a “serious incident” has occurred.
The scene at Yorkshire Wildlife Park which has been evacuated and closed due to an ongoing emergency (Image: Charley Atkins / SWNS)
A man has sustained a serious injury from a tiger attack after jumping into its enclosure at a UK zoo. Witnesses claim shots were fired after an “agitated” man jumped into the enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Police confirmed the tiger remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public. The zoo has been evacuated and closed for the rest of the day.
A statement from Yorkshire Wildlife Park said: “We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred today at the tiger enclosure. Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated, and emergency services are currently attending the scene. 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. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.”
Multiple witnesses claimed a male was grabbed by one of the cats before “five shots” were fired into the enclosure. Some believed this was a gas canister to scare the tiger back. A black screen has been erected at the site, according to reports.
Police have urged the public not to share footage on social media after videos began circulating. It appeared to show a man in a black jumper kneeling on the ground with his arms out beside him as the tiger attacks him from behind. The tiger appears to bite and push the man on his back before standing over him.
The park has been evacuated and closed for the day (Image: Charley Atkins / SWNS)
Police and ambulance services attended the scene (Image: Charley Atkins / SWNS)
Witness Tia Hanson told Doncaster Press that gunshots were heard at the site near Doncaster and a black tarpaulin had been erected at the tiger enclosure.
She said: “It looks as if someone has jumped into the enclosure and they’ve had to shoot the tiger. People are saying they heard a gunshot and they say someone either jumped in, or fell in. There was an air ambulance and police everywhere. We’ve all been made to leave.” She added: “It wasn’t nice – there were lots of people who looked really upset.”
Witness Dominic Ford, who was visiting the park with his niece, said staff appeared “calm” as they evacuated the site. He said an air ambulance, ambulance and “a hell of a lot of police came”, speaking to the Daily Mail.
The park has two tigers, a female called Tschuna and a male called Altai, who arrived in March last year.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: “At 1.35pm today (Saturday 10 October) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The tiger has subsequently attacked the man and this has resulted in serious injury.
“Officers are working at pace to make contact with the man’s family and no further detail will be provided at this time. The tiger remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public.
“Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out enquiries. We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this distressing footage.”
A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “I can confirm we were called at 13.33 on Saturday 10 October 2026 to an incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster.
“We sent a number of resources, including two land ambulances, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor. Any further enquiries should be directed to South Yorkshire Police.”