Tiger who attacked man in Yorkshire enclosure ‘was endangered species who had joined from zoo in Norway last year’

The tiger who attacked and killed a man after he climbed into its enclosure at a Yorkshire zoo on Saturday is an endangered species and joined the park last year from Norway.

Emergency services raced to Yorkshire Wildlife Park shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday after reports the man had entered the tiger enclosure. Police said he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement on Sunday morning, the park confirmed the tiger involved is named Altai, an endangered Amur tiger. Zookeepers also confirmed Altai would not be euthanised following the tragedy, adding the tiger is “safe and well”.

“We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday’s tragic incident,” the park said. “Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life.

“The park will be closed today and the staff team who were deeply affected by events will receive specialist support.

“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.”

Altai arrived at the park in March 2025, travelling over 1,135 miles from his previous home at the Norwegian Zoo, Dyreparken, according to Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

Speaking at the time, director of animals, Charlotte MacDonald said: “We are delighted with Altai. He is a beautiful, huge cat and very calm and receptive, his keepers at Dyreparken have clearly done a great job with him.

She added: “He is very curious and interested in what is going on and I am sure he will be a massive hit with our visitors.”

The zoo is also home to tigress Tschuna, who has lived there since 2013. Amur Tigers, more commonly known as Siberian Tigers, are the largest big cats in the world, and are endangered, although recent conservation efforts have helped push their numbers up to around 500 in the wild.

Witnesses reported seeing the man posing for photos with the tiger and “dancing” with his AirPods in before he climbed into the pen on Saturday afternoon.

The park was then evacuated as “hero” zookeepers fired shots to try and halt the fatal attack, it has been reported. A black screen was erected around the enclosure as visitors left.

Police said the man’s family has been informed and urged people not to share distressing footage of the incident online.

The park remains closed on Sunday, and the man’s family and staff at the site are being supported by specialist officers.