A man has died after entering a tiger enclosure at a UK wildlife park.
The Tiger Experience – Yorkshire Wildlife Park (Image: Yorkshire Wildlife Park)
New details on the condition of the tiger after a man died in the animal’s enclosure today have been released. Police said the tiger is “uninjured” and “remained in the enclosure” following the horror attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this afternoon. Speculation had been circulating online about the condition of the tiger following witness claims they had heard shots when the man jumped into the enclosure on Saturday afternoon.
But in a statement, South Yorkshire Police said: “Regarding rumours surrounding the condition of the tiger, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public.” Witnesses told how they heard five shots at the site in Doncaster, believed to be from gas canisters used to scare the big cat back into its enclosure.
Police confirmed the death of a man tonight after he sustained serious injuries following the horror attack. A statement said: “At 1.35pm today (Saturday, October 10), we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. “The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury. “Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time. “Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out inquiries. We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage.”
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The park has two tigers, a female called Tschuna and a male called Altai, who arrived in March last year. Shocking videos circulating online appeared to show a man being pawed at and grappled by the tiger. Emergency services, including two land ambulances and one helicopter, were scrambled to the scene.
The zoo was evacuated and closed for the rest of the day. The attraction is on a purpose-built two-acre reserve for endangered Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 left in the wild.
The scene at Yorkshire Wildlife Park which has been evacuated and closed due to an ongoing emergency (Image: Charley Atkins / SWNS)
The scene at Yorkshire Wildlife Park which has been evacuated and closed due to an ongoing emergency (Image: Charley Atkins / SWNS)
Photos of the enclosure on the park’s website show a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam. Witness Tia Hanson told Doncaster Press that gunshots were heard and a black tarpaulin had been erected at the tiger enclosure.
She said: “It looks as if someone has jumped into the enclosure and they’ve had to shoot the tiger. People are saying they heard a gunshot and they say someone either jumped in, or fell in. There was an air ambulance and police everywhere.
“We’ve all been made to leave.” She added: “It wasn’t nice – there were lots of people who looked really upset.”
The scene at Yorkshire Wildlife Park which has been evacuated and closed due to an ongoing emergency (Image: Charley Atkins / SWNS)
A statement posted on the wildlife park’s social media channels earlier today, read: “We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred today at the tiger enclosure.
“Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated and emergency services are currently attending the scene.
“We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened.
“The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.”
Andy Burnham clarifies ‘fairer’ state pension triple lock changes for those born 1967-1996
Andy Burnham says the change is fairer and asked people what they think
Andy Burnham announced the change (Image: CHRISTOPHER FURLONG, POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Andy Burnham has provided clarification following proposed alterations to the State Pension. The Prime Minister has confirmed that should Labour secure victory at the next general election the party intends to reform the mechanism determining yearly increases.
Existing regulations mean that the State Pension increases each April by a figure based on the “triple lock“, meaning the rise corresponds to either the inflation rate, average earnings growth or 2.5% – whichever proves highest. But concerns have been raised over its long-term viability, given it has produced substantial growth in State Pension values.
Data from the Institute for Fiscal Studies reveals that since it was introduced in 2011, the triple lock has seen State Pension values rise considerably faster than had it followed solely prices or earnings. It said the pension was now approximately 14% higher than it would have been if it had only tracked earnings.
At present, most people on a full State Pension receive £241.30 a week. Under the triple lock this is likely to increase to approximately £250.70 a week in April 2027.
The proposed reforms, unveiled during the Labour Party Conference, mean the State Pension will no longer increase by whichever is highest of 2.5%, average earnings or inflation, but will instead rise by the greater of inflation and 2.5%. Funds generated through these modifications will go towards establishing a National Care Service, designed to address care costs borne by families while simultaneously alleviating pressures upon the NHS.
The government’s proposals have provoked a mixed response. Critics included Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, who cautioned that the plans risked amounting to “electoral suicide”, reports the Mirror. Conversely, Tom Pope, chief economist at the think tank Institute for Government, welcomed the move, stating the triple lock was “a much more sensible way to increase pensions”.
Andy Burnham has since taken to social media to clarify what the proposed changes would mean in practice – and to canvas public opinion. Writing on his Facebook page, he said: “I want to explain what’s happening with the Triple Lock and why.
“The first thing to know is this: The state pension will keep going up. The Triple Lock means your pension rises each year by whichever is highest: inflation, wages or 2.5%. So it’s always rising.
“That exact system will stay in place until the end of this Parliament. Then, pensions will still continue to rise every year. Going up at least by inflation or 2.5%, whichever is higher. And under these proposals, wages still matter too. The state pension will continue to keep pace with earnings over time.
“The savings generated from this adjustment will help to fund a National Care Service, so older people can have the security of a State Pension that keeps rising every year, and the peace of mind of knowing they won’t face catastrophic care costs if they need support later in life.
“I think this is a fairer deal for older people. What do you think?” The post generated thousands of responses alongside more than 18,000 likes, with opinions sharply divided.
David questioned: “Why is it that when the country needs to raise money it always looks at raising it from the poorest in society i.e. pensioners and people on benefits. State pension is not a benefit it is a payment from an insurance policy that has matured. If the tax rate on earnings over 200k were to be raised by 5% it would not affect the lifestyle of those earning it.”
It will come into effect in 2030 (Image: Getty)
Brenda suggested: “It would be fairer to give pensioners the living wage and link future increases to MP’s pay rises.”
However, Stephanie supported the proposal, stating: “It’s fair, and I speak as someone a few years away from state pension age who this will affect. If we want an NHS that works then we need a care system that works too. At least you’ve grasped the nettle, which is more than your predecessors did.”
Stephen concurred, saying: “I’m in my Seventies and think the proposed changes are a good compromise for both present pensioners and younger people who have to fund our pensions.”
