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Tiger King star Carole Baskin issues plea as man dies after entering tiger enclosure
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Carole Baskin has spoken out after a man was killed after entering a tiger enclosure at a British zoo.
On Saturday afternoon (October 10), a man died after he breached the enclosure of a Siberian tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, UK.
The BBC reports that the incident occurred at 13.35PM, after the unidentified victim managed to enter the enclosure before he was mauled by the tiger.
South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: "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."
Police noted that there is not threat to the public from the tiger, who is "uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident."
Following the horrific incident, the Yorkshire Wildlife Park remained closed for the rest of the weekend, with the park saying in a statement: "We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred today at the tiger enclosure. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow."
It is not currently known how the man, who has not been identified, managed to get inside the enclosure.
After news of his death went public, Tiger King star Carole Baskin spoke out to issue a plea that the tiger was not killed in the wake of the attack, as it "was not doing anything wrong."
The big-cat activist shared her condolences for the family of the man who was mauled to death, but insisted that no blame should be put on the tiger, who was just acting on its natural instincts.
Baskin told the New York Post: "The tiger was not doing anything wrong by being a tiger. I am relieved to hear that the animal was not harmed.
"We don’t yet know all the circumstances that led to this man’s death, and it would be wrong to speculate.
"What we do know is that a tiger is a powerful wild predator, and no amount of captivity, training, or familiarity can change that."
She added: "My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life today at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
"No family should have to endure such a devastating loss, and my thoughts are also with those who witnessed this tragedy."
Baskin is the CEO of the non-profit organization Big Cat Rescue, based in Tampa, Florida, which works to end the exploitation of big cats in captivity.
She reiterated: "Tragedies like this remind us why that work matters.
"My hope is that this terrible loss will lead to meaningful reflection about our relationship with wild animals, and a future where both people and tigers are safer because we have chosen to protect wild cats where they belong: in the wild."
Baskin found fame after the 2020 Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, which followed Joe Exotic and his Oklahoma roadside zoo full of big cats.
Baskin successfully sued him for $1 million dollars, after which he hired a hitman to kill her, and was subsequently sentenced to 22 years in prison.