Man dies after jumping into tiger enclosure at UK zoo

A man has died after being attacked by a tiger when he jumped into its enclosure at a zoo in northern England.

According to police, the man entered the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster at about 1.30pm on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT).

“The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury,” South Yorkshire Police said in a statement.

Paramedics at the scene tried to treat the man, but he died of his injuries.

Police said the tiger was uninjured and remained in the enclosure after the attack.

“The man's family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time,” police said.

The park was evacuated and closed for the day, and a statement on its website said it would also be closed on Sunday.

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Witnesses told the BBC all was calm at the park before a sudden evacuation was ordered.

"There was a big, black tarpaulin over the tiger enclosure,” Karmelle Pelham said, adding she heard what sounded like “gunshots” while an air ambulance circled above the park.

Police also asked people not to share videos online that may portray part of the attack.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park is in Doncaster, about 234 kilometres north of London.

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It opened in 2009, with its tiger exhibit called Land of the Tigers opened in 2011.

On its website, it says visitors can walk along a 300-metre-long raised walkway that gives great views of several Siberian tigers, also known as Amur tigers.

They can weigh up to 320 kilograms.