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Man's devastating final words to tiger before it killed him after entering its enclosure
The man who was mauled to death after climbing into a tiger enclosure was reportedly heard making desperate pleas in the moments before the fatal attack.
Emergency services rushed to Yorkshire Wildlife Park shortly after 1:30PM on Saturday (October 10) following reports that a man had entered an enclosure housing the Siberian tiger Altai.
The unidentified man, who was wearing a black jersey, was seen kneeling with his back turned away from the wild animal.
Zoo keepers intervened by firing gas-powered acoustic guns into the air to frighten the wild animal. It retreated to a nearby shelter and was quickly secured. But tragically, the victim was declared dead at the scene.
Witness reveals man's alleged final words
Witnesses revealed that they shouted at the young man to play dead after he jumped into the tiger's den.
He reportedly didn’t understand them and was allegedly seen telling the tiger to "stop being naughty" as it pawed at him before launching the attack, The Sun reported.
The disturbing account emerged after another onlooker at the park revealed that she had unknowingly taken what may have been some of the man's final pictures just minutes before the tragedy.
Taylor, who was with her boyfriend, said she was approached by the man while watching Altai from a viewing platform.
He reportedly asked, "Can you grab a shot of myself with the tiger?" so she took his phone, and he posed with the five-year-old Siberian tiger in the background.
Footage taken by her boyfriend showed the man laughing and enthusiastically requesting more pictures: "One more, one more, one more."
"He was completely alone," Taylor told the outlet. "At first, he was dancing on the bridge overlooking the enclosure. He ended up standing next to me."
Another visitor, Anthony Hunt, who was with his girlfriend Scarlet when the horror unfolded, told Sky News: "We noticed the tiger’s behaviour change. Its eyes locked on to something in the enclosure."
"We thought maybe he's getting fed. When Scarlett was taking photos - we suddenly saw in the camera lens that a guy had entered the enclosure," he added.
One witness spoke about seeing the man enjoying himself shortly before his death.
"20 minutes before today’s tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, this tiger was sat in the sunshine," they said. "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," they added.
Park confirmed the tiger was not euthanized
In a statement issued online, the wildlife park thanked those who had expressed concern and said their "thoughts and heartfelt sympathies" remained with the family of the man who lost his life.
The park also confirmed that the tiger was "safe and well and will not be euthanised" after the incident.
City of Doncaster Council revealed that it launched a health and safety investigation into the tragic death.
Dan Swaine, Executive Director of Place at City of Doncaster Council, said: "As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation."
"We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident."
"At this time, we won’t be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time," they added.