Man killed after entering tiger enclosure at wildlife park

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 13 Oct, 22:51 · Archive

William Chapman, 23, was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday.

William Chapman, 23, was killed on Saturday afternoon after entering the enclosure of Altai, an Amur tiger weighing 30 stone (200kg), at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. He scaled a perimeter fence and jumped into the pen, dropping about 12 feet to the floor. He was pronounced dead shortly after 1.30pm.

Eyewitnesses reported that Chapman had been dancing and pacing near the enclosure, and asked someone to take a photograph of him with the tiger in the background before entering the pen. A woman attempted to hold him back as he went in. Mobile phone footage believed to be from Chapman shows him approaching the tiger across a patch of grass. Witnesses heard him breathing heavily as he moved towards the animal on an elevated platform, before the tiger repeatedly lunged at him.

Chapman's family released a tribute describing him as 'bright, warm and engaging' and revealed that he had suffered from significant mental illness over several years and had been prescribed strong medication. The family said they hope authorities will establish why he entered the enclosure. The park remains closed and the City of Doncaster Council is investigating the incident.

How it is being reported

• William Chapman: Family pay tribute to ‘bright, warm and engaging’ man killed by tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife ParkMr Chapman had suffered from ‘significant mental illness over a number of years’, his family added in a statementThe Independent · 13 Oct, 23:13
• Family of tiger attack victim pay tribute to 'bright' and 'amazing' manThe family of William Chapman have paid tribute to their 'bright, warm and engaging' son after he was killed in a tiger attack as he entered the animal's enclosureThe Mirror · 13 Oct, 22:46
• Family pays tribute to 'warm and engaging' man killed in tiger attackWilliam Chapman was attacked by the tiger after he entered its pen at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.BBC News · 13 Oct, 22:41
• William Chapman: Family of tiger attack victim pays tribute to 'dearly loved' manWilliam Chapman, who was in his mid-20s, visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday and was attacked after entering the tiger enclosure.Daily Express · 13 Oct, 22:34
• Harrowing final photos of tiger death victim emerge after Yorkshire Wildlife Park tragedyWARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT - William Chapman - believed to be in his early 20s - filmed himself approaching Altai the Amur tiger before he was mauled to death at Yorkshire Wildlife ParkThe Mirror · 13 Oct, 20:39

In this story: William Chapman · Yorkshire Wildlife Park · Altai · Doncaster · South Yorkshire

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