The man who was mauled to death by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday has been identified as William Chapman.
The tragic incident occurred at the popular visitor attraction near Doncaster on Saturday afternoon. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Mr. Chapman, who is believed to be in his 20s, enter the enclosure alone. Moments before the fatal confrontation, onlookers claimed the man was pacing near the perimeter, at one point seen dancing as if to “psyche himself up” while wearing headphones.
Distressing footage circulating on social media—which has since been removed—showed the man filming himself as he approached Altai, a five-year-old endangered Amur tiger resting on a platform within the enclosure. As he moved closer to the animal, witnesses recalled hearing the man shouting and gesturing toward the tiger using what appeared to be sign language.
The situation escalated rapidly when the tiger pounced. Visitors watched in horror as the animal attacked the man, inflicting fatal injuries to his neck and dragging him away. The intensity of the scene was captured by the sounds of screaming visitors in the background of the footage. Park rangers reportedly arrived on the scene shortly after the alarm was raised, firing warning shots to drive the 400lb animal away from the victim, but medical personnel were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed the victim’s family has been notified and are currently being supported by specialist officers. In an official statement, the force noted: “Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.”
The incident has left the local community and regular visitors to the park in shock, with many leaving floral tributes outside the gates of the attraction, which remains closed today.
While the circumstances surrounding how the man managed to enter the restricted zone remain under investigation, Yorkshire Wildlife Park has confirmed that the animal involved will not be euthanized. A spokesperson clarified that the tiger remains uninjured and was contained within the enclosure, posing no further risk to the public.
The investigation into the breach of the enclosure continues as the facility remains shut to the public, with staff cooperating fully with authorities.
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