“Tiger King” star Carole Baskin has urged authorities not to kill a tiger that mauled a man who entered its enclosure at a British zoo on Saturday, saying the animal “was not doing anything wrong.”
The prominent big-cat activist expressed her sympathy for the victim’s grieving family after the deadly incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, while stressing that the tiger should not be blamed for what happened.
“The tiger was not doing anything wrong by being a tiger. I am relieved to hear that the animal was not harmed,” Baskin told The Post in a written statement.
Baskin also cautioned officials against drawing premature conclusions about the tragedy.
“We don’t yet know all the circumstances that led to this man’s death, and it would be wrong to speculate,” she said.
“What we do know is that a tiger is a powerful wild predator, and no amount of captivity, training, or familiarity can change that.”
She offered her condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones.
“My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life today at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.”
“No family should have to endure such a devastating loss, and my thoughts are also with those who witnessed this tragedy.”
Baskin is the CEO of Big Cat Rescue, a Tampa-based nonprofit organization that campaigns against the exploitation of big cats in captivity.
“Tragedies like this remind us why that work matters,” Baskin said.
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“My hope is that this terrible loss will lead to meaningful reflection about our relationship with wild animals, and a future where both people and tigers are safer because we have chosen to protect wild cats where they belong: in the wild.”
The fatal mauling occurred Saturday afternoon after the unidentified man somehow entered the tiger enclosure and was attacked by the large Siberian tiger.
Police were called to Yorkshire Wildlife Park at about 1:35 p.m. local time after receiving reports that a man was inside the enclosure.
“The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury,” South Yorkshire Police said in a statement.
“Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Authorities said the tiger did not pose a threat to the public, adding that it was “uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park was closed for the remainder of the weekend following the shocking attack.
“We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred today at the tiger enclosure,” the park said in a statement. “The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.”
Officials have not said how the man managed to get inside the tiger enclosure.
“Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” is a 2020 Netflix true-crime docuseries that follows Joe Exotic, an eccentric, gun-toting polygamist who ran an Oklahoma roadside zoo full of big cats.
He spiraled out of control after Baskin successfully sued him for $1 million, which caused him to hire a hitman to kill her.
