Who Is Altai? Tiger Involved in Fatal Yorkshire Wildlife Park Attack Arrived From Norway Months Earlier

Altai, the tiger involved in a fatal attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday, 10 October, is an endangered Amur tiger brought from Norway in February 2025 for a conservation breeding programme. According to reports, the male big cat attacked a man who entered his enclosure near Doncaster at around 1.35pm.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed the visitor died despite emergency treatment. The park announced on Sunday that Altai was unharmed and would not be euthanised.

Who Is Altai, the Amur Tiger Brought From Norway?

According to records, Altai was born at Dyreparken Zoo in Norway and arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on 27 February 2025, following a journey of more than 1,135 miles. He was three years old when transferred under the European Endangered Species Programme.

The move was intended to pair him with Tschuna, a resident female Amur tiger who arrived in 2013 and gave birth to three cubs in 2015. Those cubs were subsequently moved to other parks to support conservation breeding.

Altai's arrival attracted attention from staff. He initially refused to leave his transport crate until carnivore team leader Bex Brown tempted him out with meat.

Charlotte MacDonald, the park's director of animals, described him at the time as a 'beautiful, huge cat' who was 'very calm and receptive'. His former Norwegian keeper, Even Grønnerø, similarly praised his temperament and said he particularly enjoyed playing in water.

Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are among the world's largest cats. Yorkshire Wildlife Park cited a 2022 conservation assessment estimating between 265 and 486 remaining in the wild. The park's Land of the Tigers habitat covers two acres of woodland.

Fatal Yorkshire Wildlife Park Attack

South Yorkshire Police said officers received reports at 1.35pm on Saturday that a man had entered the Land of the Tigers enclosure. Altai subsequently attacked the man, causing fatal injuries.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service dispatched two land ambulances, an air ambulance and a doctor. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told local media they saw the visitor taking photographs, wearing headphones and moving around near the enclosure before climbing over a barrier. Other accounts described him bowing towards the tiger. However, police have not established publicly why he entered.

The park was evacuated as emergency teams responded. Some witnesses reported loud bangs as staff attempted to move the animal away, although accounts differ over what produced the sounds.

Police said they had informed the man's family and that specialist officers were providing them with support. They urged people not to circulate distressing footage of the attack.

Will Altai Be Euthanised After the Attack?

Yorkshire Wildlife Park addressed public concern about the animal in a statement on Sunday, 11 October. 'We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident,' it said.

The park also expressed sympathy for the man's relatives and said affected employees were receiving specialist support. Police confirmed Altai remained inside his enclosure and posed no wider danger to visitors. Investigators are continuing enquiries into the circumstances of the man's entry, while the park's conservation work with endangered Amur tigers remains ongoing.