A tourist has been mauled by three tigers in front of his wife and child, according to horrified witnesses.

One tiger was shot dead after the visitor reportedly climbed into the enclosure and walked towards the animals as they were being fed.

Horror footage shows the tigers leap on the man at Ningbo Younger Zoo, leaving him writhing around on the ground in agony as they passed him between their massive paws.

Reports in China say the man has died from his injuries.

Zoo keepers tried to frighten the animals away with firecrackers and water canons, but they were undeterred.

The animals then bit into his head and neck and ripped off his clothes, leaving him face down on the ground in just his pants, according to ntdtv.com

One tiger was then seen dragging the man's blood-soaked body into the woods by his foot.

The man was rushed to hospital from the zoo in East China's Zhejiang Province today.

The zoo was closed at 3pm while police and local forestry bureau staff arrived at the zoo at about 3:15pm.