Zoo vows tiger that killed intruder won't be put down

A zoo in northern England has announced that the tiger that killed a man who entered its enclosure will not be put down, despite the fatal outcome. In a statement released Sunday, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the attack, is "safe and well," and revealed details about the massive predator, which belongs to one of the rarest and most endangered tiger subspecies in the world.

The incident occurred Saturday afternoon, 10 October, at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. Police received a call at 1:35 p.m. reporting that a person had entered the tiger enclosure. One of the tigers attacked and fatally mauled him. Emergency responders who arrived on scene attempted to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

[Out of respect for the dead man, we chose not to share the shocking footage of the tiger mauling him.]

The following day, park management issued a statement addressing the tiger's fate. "Many, many people have contacted us asking about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be destroyed as a result of this incident," the statement said. Management expressed condolences to the victim's family and announced the park would close that day, adding that staff affected by the traumatic incident would receive professional support.

Altai is an Amur tiger, also known as a Siberian tiger, considered the largest subspecies of tiger. According to park data, males average between 350 and 420 pounds, though individuals of the subspecies can reach up to 700 pounds. The animal is a powerful predator, known for extraordinary strength and hunting ability.

Altai arrived at the park in February 2025 from a zoo in Norway at age three, as part of a European conservation breeding programme. He was placed in an enclosure called "Tiger Territory," which spans nearly 20 acres and includes forested areas, grassland and a water feature with a waterfall.

After the fatal mauling: zoo issues rare statement on tiger's fate (Photo: social media)

Amur tigers are critically endangered. According to a 2022 assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, between 265 and 486 individuals remain in the wild. Conservation and breeding programmes aim to protect the population and prevent the subspecies from disappearing.

Following the incident, the park was evacuated and police opened an investigation into the circumstances. Authorities asked the public not to share graphic videos of the attack that circulated on social media. The victim's identity has not been officially released.