Key Points
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A tiger mauled a guest to death at the United Kingdom’s Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
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The guest appeared to have gotten into the tiger’s enclosure, according to videos circulating online.
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Police tell Entertainment Weekly in a statement that the area was evacuated and revealed an update on the condition of the tiger.
A man was mauled to death by a tiger Saturday after entering the animal’s enclosure at the United Kingdom’s Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
In a statement obtained by Entertainment Weekly, a representative for the South Yorkshire Police explained that the incident occurred around 1:35 p.m. local time, after the department “received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure” at the animal park.
“The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury. Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene,” the statement reads.
Video circulating online appears to show the man inside the enclosure while it bites at his back, arms, and neck. He can be heard shouting, “Stop!” at the animal and raising his finger while onlookers attempt to make noise to distract the animal.
Police explain in the statement that “the man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers.”
They also reveal an update on the condition of the tiger, noting that the animal was unharmed.
“Regarding rumors surrounding the condition of the tiger, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public,” says the statement, adding that, “Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out enquiries.”
According to the park’s website, “a serious incident” occurred at the tiger enclosure, and “emergency response procedures were immediately activated” on 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 statement said. “The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.”
EW has reached out to Yorkshire Wildlife Park representatives for additional information and comment.
The incident followed another major attraction-related happening in the U.K., when one of the world’s oldest wooden roller coasters derailed mid-ride at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach amusement park in July.
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Opened in 2009, Yorkshire Wildlife Park boasts hundreds of wild animals on display, ranging from various primate species, rhinos, and cheetahs to polar bears, giraffes, zebras, and numerous types of birds.
See Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s statement on the tiger mauling above.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
