Yorkshire Wildlife Park: Tiger King star Carole Baskin weighs in on fatal big cat attack
Carole Baskin has spoken out in the wake of the shock attack that left a man dead after he jumped into a UK tiger enclosure.
Tiger King star Carole Baskin has defended the tiger which killed a man who jumped into its wildlife park enclosure in the UK, declaring that it “was not doing anything wrong”.
While expressing sympathy for the man’s family in a written statement, the 65-year-old star of the 2020 reality series said 190kg tiger Altai was not the one to blame for the tragedy.
In a written statement to the New York Post, Baskin said “the tiger was not doing anything wrong by being a tiger”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I am relieved to hear that the animal was not harmed,” she wrote.
“We don’t yet know all the circumstances that led to this man’s death, and it would be wrong to speculate.
“What we do know is that a tiger is a powerful wild predator, and no amount of captivity, training, or familiarity can change that.”
US animal rights activist and Big Cat Rescue CEO Baskin shot to fame in the 2020 Netflix series that focused on her vendetta with zoo owner Joe Exotic, who is now serving a prison sentence for arranging a hit on her.
Her comments come as further details leading up to Saturday’s attack continued to emerge, including the “erratic” behaviour of the male victim, who was seen dancing just moments before leaping into the enclosure where he was mauled to death.
There were also reports emerging that a mother at the scene attempted to stop the man, thought to be in his 20s, from jumping into the apex predator’s den.
Moments before the fatal attack the man had asked other patrons to take his photo after he was seen “dancing on the bridge overlooking the enclosure”.
“My partner was recording the tiger and you can hear me having this interaction,” one witness named Del told The Sun.
“You can hear him asking for a photo. I took a couple of him with his back towards the enclosure.
“I positioned the camera so I could get Altai in it with him.”
A short time later, he scaled the fence of the animal’s enclosure and jumped in.
Confronting footage circulating online appeared to show the 190kg tiger circling the man on the grass before attacking him and shaking him violently.
The victim, who has not yet been identified, could be heard yelling ”no, no” during the terrifying ordeal.
After Altai grabbed the man by the neck he was seen holding up a little finger – a gesture signifying the word “bad’” in Makaton – sign language for people who struggle to express themselves, according to Metro.
Zoo keepers desperately tried to intervene as police and ambulance crews raced to scene.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene, and his family have since been informed, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) said.
In a social media post, Yorkshire Wildlife Park spokesperson said they were “deeply saddened” by the “tragic incident”.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has lost their life,” they said.
“We are working closely with the police and relevant authorities and would ask that the privacy of those affected is respected at this extremely difficult time.”
