Witnesses screamed at man to 'play dead' before he was mauled by tiger
Desperate onlookers at Yorkshire Wildlife Park frantically screamed at the man to lay still after he climbed into the big cat's enclosure and was attacked at about 1.30pm on October 10.
TL;DR
- A man was fatally mauled by a Siberian tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park after entering its enclosure.
- Witnesses reportedly shouted for the man to 'play dead' during the attack.
- The man was reportedly alone, dancing to music, and asked visitors to take a picture with the tiger before climbing into the enclosure.
- He appeared to be 'praying and bowing' on all fours before the attack.
- City of Doncaster Council is conducting a health and safety investigation.
- Experts are discussing the balance between public safety and animal welfare in zoos.
- There is debate about whether zoo safety regulations are sufficient to prevent unpredictable human behavior.
- Tiger King's Carole Baskin stated the tiger was not at fault and that big cats belong in the wild.
- Some social media users have been criticized for appearing to care more about the tiger than the victim, with suggestions the man may have had special needs.
- The Yorkshire Wildlife Park remained closed following the incident, and the tiger, Altai, is reported to be safe and well.