Man Mauled to Death by Tiger After Entering Enclosure at UK Wildlife Park

A man was mauled to death by a Siberian tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, England, on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses reported the man taunted the big cat, saying "Come here tiger. Kill me," before climbing a 15-foot fence into the enclosure. The man was seen pacing, dancing, and asked a witness to take a photo of him with the tiger, Altai, behind him. A woman tried to stop him from climbing the fence but wasn't strong enough.

Police stated on Monday that the man was believed to be visiting alone. South Yorkshire Police will not be naming the man at his family's request. The City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation into the death. Dan Swaine, Executive Director of Place at City of Doncaster Council, expressed deep sadness and confirmed the investigation.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated after the attack and remained closed on Monday. The park confirmed the tiger, Altai, was uninjured and would not be euthanized. The "Land of the Tigers" attraction opened in 2011, featuring a two-acre reserve for endangered Amur tigers and a 300-meter raised walkway for visitors.