Reason why authorities won't euthanise tiger after mauling man to death
A wildlife expert has explained why the tiger that mauled a man to death at Yorkshire Wildlife Park won’t be euthanised.
On Saturday (10 October), emergency services were called to the Doncaster zoo shortly after 1.30pm, when a man entered the tiger enclosure and was set upon by the animal.
He was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police have said, adding that his family has been informed.
Videos circulating online appear to show a man being pawed at and grappled by the tiger, Altai - police have asked people not to share the footage.
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In another video taken by a bystander, it appears the voice of the as-yet-unidentified man can be heard asking people to take a photo of him with the wild animal before the incident took place.
In a statement following the tragedy, Yorkshire Wildlife Park released a statement on Instagram, which read: “We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
“The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.”
The post added: “Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.”
The park has since said that it will remain closed on Monday (12 October) as investigations continue into the death.
Speaking to The Express, wildlife expert and executive president of the Born Free Foundation, Will Travers, explained why the tiger has been kept alive.
He explained that first and foremost, zoos would typically try to save both the person and the animal in circumstances like this, especially when the animal had remained inside its enclosure.
Travers told the outlet: “Hopefully, in the great, great majority of cases, lethal force will not be necessary, because as I say, the animal didn't come into the human space. The human went into the animal space.”
However, he outlined that the circumstances would be very different if the animal had escaped, rather than the other way around, and in that situation ‘you cannot rule out lethal force’.
The wildlife expert explained: “If the animal had escaped, for example, into the public space and was now out, now there are literally dozens, hundreds of people running in different directions. Who knows what's going to happen? You can't rule that out.”
The Born Free Foundation also gave its condolences, as Travers said: “First and foremost, my sympathies are with the family and friends of the man who died. Born Free’s thoughts are also with the staff at Yorkshire Wildlife Park who must be traumatised, and also with the wider public who will have been shocked by events.”
In the latest update message sent to ticketholders on Monday morning, the park said: “Due to the serious incident that occurred at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday, the 10th of October, unfortunately the park remains closed for the whole of Monday, the 12th October.
“Anyone with a booking for this date will be contacted within the next five working days with details of how to reschedule your booking.
“We apologise for the late notice any inconvenience caused.”
Madison Burgess