A man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park has been pictured for the first time, as disturbing footage emerged showing his final approach towards the 200kg Siberian tiger.
William Chapman was killed on Saturday after climbing into the animal’s enclosure at the South Yorkshire attraction. The incident unfolded in front of visitors, who described seeing him approach the tiger, named Altai, before the animal attacked.
In the days leading up to his death, Chapman had shared a series of unusual photographs and videos on social media. One clip, apparently filmed inside the enclosure, shows the camera moving towards a raised wooden platform where the tiger was resting. Heavy breathing can be heard as shocked onlookers react in the background.
The footage captures Chapman approaching the big cat shortly before the fatal attack, which occurred only minutes before emergency services were called at 1.35pm.
This is the first picture of William Chapman, the troubled man who was killed by a tiger after jumping into its enclosure at a Yorkshire zoo
A video, purporting to be filmed in the pen itself, shows the camera holder slowly approaching a wooden platform on which one of the tigers is resting
Mr Chapman’s social media profile features various photographs of himself as well as the clip from Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday
A man died after climbing into the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday and being attacked by a 200kg male Siberian tiger, Altai, above
An air ambulance and police van are seen at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday afternoon
Final Moments Before the Tiger Attack
Witnesses said Chapman had been dancing along a walkway overlooking the enclosure and listening to music through his AirPods before approaching other visitors to ask for a photograph with the tiger in the background.
One video appears to capture him making the request: “Excuse me, can you grab a shot of myself with the tiger?”
Altai can be seen resting beneath a shaded tree and playing with a fallen branch as a woman, believed to be witness Dan Taylor, agrees to take the picture. Chapman reportedly asks for “one more” photograph three times before thanking her.
According to witnesses, Chapman then began climbing into the enclosure while a woman desperately tried to stop him. He eventually dropped approximately 12 feet to the ground below, where the tiger was resting.
Visitors said the animal initially pawed at him before jumping onto his neck. Distressing footage circulated on social media appeared to show the tiger interacting with Chapman before the attack escalated.
Witnesses also recalled hearing Chapman repeatedly shout “stop” and tell the animal to “stop being naughty.” At one point, he appeared to make a sign associated with “bad” in Makaton, a communication system often used by people who have difficulty communicating through speech.
Police described Chapman as vulnerable. Some visitors said his behaviour had appeared unusual in the moments before he entered the enclosure, although the circumstances surrounding his actions remain unclear.
The scene at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday after a tiger mauled a man who entered its enclosure
Visitors were evacuated by staff before the park was closed for the remainder of the day after the attack
Social Media Posts in the Days Before His Death
Chapman’s social media accounts featured a range of photographs and videos, including a gym selfie posted just hours before the clip showing him approaching the tiger.
Another image, shared on the day of his death, showed him holding a Bible and a crossbow while wearing the same clothes he had on when he entered the enclosure. A crossbow bolt could be seen between his teeth.
Other posts included photographs from a visit to the Pantheon in Paris, an image of a Greek-style helmet displayed on a stand and references to social media influencers.
The material has attracted attention following the tragedy, but it does not establish why Chapman entered the enclosure.
Witness Appeals for Compassion After Online Backlash
The woman who took what may have been one of Chapman’s final photographs has spoken out against the online speculation and jokes that followed his death.
Dan Taylor, who said her name had been widely circulated on social media after witnesses described the events leading up to the attack, posted an emotional video on TikTok urging people to consider the circumstances before passing judgment.
She said it was deeply upsetting to realise that, apart from the widely shared footage of the fatal attack, the photograph she took might have been the last image of Chapman alive.
“I’ve seen a lot of speculation online about this person, this man, and a lot of it is not very nice, very presumptuous,” she said.
Taylor asked people to pause before making assumptions about his behaviour and consider whether he may not have fully recognised the danger he was putting himself in.
“Maybe it was a lack of danger, awareness of danger,” she said.
Recalling their brief encounter, Taylor described Chapman as appearing happy as he danced up and down the walkway with his AirPods in. He later approached the group, handed her his phone and asked her to take his picture.
She suggested that people who had witnessed his behaviour in person might better understand why she was urging caution in how his actions were discussed.
“It’s so upsetting to think that apart from that awful viral video of him being attacked by the tiger online that the last photo of that man probably alive is the one that I’ve taken on his phone for him,” she said.
Taylor concluded by asking people to keep an open mind about the tragedy, criticising comments she described as unkind and presumptuous.
Emergency Response and Attempts to Stop the Tiger
Emergency services were called to Yorkshire Wildlife Park at 1.35pm on Saturday after the attack. Two ambulances, police and an air ambulance were dispatched to the scene.
Visitors were evacuated as staff closed the park for the remainder of the day. A black screen was erected around the enclosure while emergency responders attempted lifesaving treatment, but Chapman was pronounced dead.
Zoo staff were reportedly devastated by what happened. Keepers attempted to drive Altai away from Chapman by firing five loud acoustic gun blasts in an effort to frighten the animal.
Charlotte Pywell, an animal ranger at the zoo, said she had not witnessed the incident and did not know what had prompted Chapman to enter the enclosure.
“It was not the tiger’s fault at all. It was just something else to play with,” she said. “The keepers are all distraught. It was not a very nice day.”
Chapman’s family have been informed of his death and are receiving support from specialist officers.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park Confirms Altai Will Not Be Euthanised
Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirmed that Altai was safe and would not be euthanised.
The park said it had received numerous messages from members of the public expressing concern about the tiger.
“Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger,” the statement read.
“We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.”
The park also thanked those who had expressed concern following what it described as a tragic incident.
The announcement came amid public discussion of the animal’s fate, with the park making clear that Altai would not be put down as a consequence of the attack.
Council Launches Health and Safety Investigation
City of Doncaster Council, the licensing authority responsible for Yorkshire Wildlife Park, has launched a health and safety investigation into Chapman’s death.
Dan Swaine, the council’s executive director of place, confirmed that the investigation had begun in accordance with the authority’s statutory responsibilities.
He said the council was working with several agencies, including police and health authorities, while supporting the wildlife park in responding to the incident.
“At this time, we won’t be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time,” Swaine said.
The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. No further details about its findings have been announced in the supplied report.
Inside Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Tiger Reserve
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with its Land of the Tigers attraction following in 2011.
The purpose-built reserve covers two acres and was designed for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with approximately 500 remaining in the wild.
Photographs published on the park’s website show an elevated walkway for visitors, alongside fencing above the area where the tigers roam.
The fatal incident has prompted an investigation into the circumstances that allowed Chapman to enter the enclosure and come into contact with Altai.
As the inquiry continues, witnesses have urged the public to avoid speculation about Chapman’s actions, while the park has confirmed that the tiger will remain alive following the tragedy.