Yorkshire Wildlife Park is set to reopen to the public tomorrow, marking the end of a week-long closure following a tragic incident in which a man was fatally mauled by a tiger.
The park, which had suspended operations after the death of William Chapman, announced the decision in an Instagram statement released this afternoon. Mr. Chapman, a self-employed online trader and former child actor known for his 2009 appearance in the ITV drama May Contain Nuts, died after entering the enclosure of Altai, an endangered Amur tiger.
‘Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family, friends and loved ones of William Chapman, who sadly lost his life,’ the park said in its statement. The management stressed that while they are moving forward, ‘the safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff team and animals remain our highest priority.’
An inquest into the death, which opened earlier today, heard that Mr. Chapman had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The coroner recorded a provisional cause of death as “multiple traumatic injuries.” Witnesses reported that in the moments leading up to the attack, Mr. Chapman—who was wearing headphones—approached the enclosure and asked bystanders to take a photograph of him with the 400lb feline.
Distressing footage later surfaced on social media showing the encounter, during which the tiger grabbed and bit Mr. Chapman. Witnesses claimed that the victim appeared to gesture in Makaton, a sign language for individuals with communication needs, and could be heard saying “no” as the animal attacked. Park rangers reportedly fired warning shots to drive the tiger away, but the injuries sustained were fatal.
Despite calls from some quarters for the animal to be culled, the park has confirmed that Altai will not be euthanised. The tiger will be returned to her 300-meter-long enclosure within the “Land of the Tigers” exhibit, which features elevated walkways for visitors to view the animals in their woodland and waterfall-pool setting.
The family of the deceased have paid tribute to Mr. Chapman, describing him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man.” They expressed that they are “utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened.”
As the park prepares to welcome guests back tomorrow, it aims to return to normal operations under what are expected to be heightened security protocols. The incident has prompted significant national attention, with the footage even being shared by high-profile figures, including Donald Trump, who used the video as a social media “warning” regarding border and safety issues in the United States.
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