Yorkshire Wildlife Park: Tiger Altai Will Not Be Put Down After Fatal Attack

Following the fatal tiger attack on a visitor, Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster has announced that the tiger involved, Altai, will not be put down. The man had jumped into the tiger enclosure and was killed there. The animal is safe and well, the park said, according to The Sun.

What will happen to Altai the tiger?

"We can reassure everyone: he is safe and well and will not be put down as a result of this incident," The Sun quotes the park's statement as saying. According to the park, a great many people had got in touch after the incident asking about the animal's fate. The park said its statement was expressly addressed to those enquiries.

Altai is a five-year-old Siberian tiger. He was born at Dyreparken zoo in Norway and arrived in Yorkshire in February 2025. The move took place as part of a European breeding programme for endangered species.

What is known about the incident so far?

According to the available reports, the man jumped into the tiger enclosure and was killed by the animal. According to The Sun, he is said to have posed for a photo with the tiger and danced before jumping in. There has so far been no official confirmation of this account.

The Daily Mail reports, citing witnesses, that they shouted to the man to play dead before he was killed by the tiger. No details are yet available about the man's identity or age. The exact circumstances of how he got into the enclosure are also unknown.

Is the incident being investigated?

According to the Daily Mail, a health and safety investigation has been launched. Which body is conducting the review and how long it is expected to take is not clear from the available reports.

No findings from the investigation are available yet. Whether the park will take any action regarding the security of its enclosures is also not currently known. According to the available information, the park itself has so far commented mainly on the tiger's condition.

How long will Yorkshire Wildlife Park stay closed?

As BBC News reports, the park remained closed for the third day in a row on 12 October 2026. According to the available information, the park has not yet said when it will reopen to visitors.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is located near the city of Doncaster. For Altai the tiger, the park's decision means he will continue to be kept there as part of the European breeding programme. According to the reports, further details on the incident and the investigation are expected to follow at a later date; no specific information is currently available.