Tiger Exhibit Reopens After Fatal Mauling; Visitors Flock to See Animal
The enclosure where William Chapman was killed by a tiger has reopened, with the animal seen calmly in its habitat.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Park's "Land of Tigers" exhibit has reopened to the public, featuring the Siberian tiger Altai, who less than a week prior fatally mauled a man. Visitors returned to the enclosure on Friday, with the tiger observed resting in its habitat.
Altai was seen lying down in its pen as park staff engaged with visitors. The exhibit had been closed since Saturday, following the death of 24-year-old William Chapman. Chapman reportedly climbed two fences to enter the tiger's off-limits enclosure before the attack occurred.
Chapman died at the scene, with the coroner's office listing his cause of death as "multiple traumatic injuries" resulting from an animal interaction. A spokesperson for the park confirmed that the tiger was "safe and well and will not be euthanized."
According to investigators, Chapman's family indicated that he had a history of mental illness, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and had been receiving care from mental health services.
Chapman had prior acting experience, having starred opposite Shirley Henderson in the ITV series "May Contain Nuts" and trained at the Jackie Palmer Stage School. Eyewitnesses reported that Chapman appeared calm and was seen pacing with headphones shortly before entering the enclosure. One account suggests he asked another visitor to take a photo of him with the tiger.
An eyewitness, Anthony Hunt, told The Times of London that Chapman appeared to taunt the tiger, spreading his arms and saying, "Come here tiger. Kill me." The tiger then attacked, dragging Chapman to a wooded area.
