Man Who Died After Entering Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Tiger Enclosure Is Named — What We Know So Far

The man who died after entering a tiger enclosure in Yorkshire, UK, over the weekend has been named.

William Chapman entered the tiger’s enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday afternoon and was pronounced ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at the scene just after 13:30 local time.

William Chapman named as Yorkshire Wildlife Park victim

Witnesses said that they saw Chapman behaving strangely in the park before he entered the enclosure, and one woman even reported attempting to pull him back before he could get into the tiger’s enclosure.

However, her attempts were unsuccessful.

Chapman’s behavior inside the enclosure involved making a gesture at the creature, a rare Amur tiger called Altai, before allegedly speaking to the animal.

He was then killed by the animal.

William Chapman has been identified as the man killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Credit: Instagram

Police have confirmed that he entered the park on his own, and was seen ‘pacing around’ before the incident.

They also confirmed that his family is aware and is receiving specialist support from officers.

Witnesses spoke out after the incident

Since the shocking incident, a video of the attack showing the tiger pawing at the unnamed man while witnesses from outside the enclosure tried unsuccessfully to distract the tiger by shouting at it has gone viral, but cops have urged the public not to share it.

Speaking to the press, witnesses have revealed what they saw. One person told LADbible: “People near us were saying how they’d been near the tiger enclosure when they’d seen a young man climbing the fence into the enclosure where he had provoked the tigers, which then retaliated.”

Another person who allegedly watched the fateful moment wrote on Facebook: “20 minutes before today’s tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, this tiger was sat in the sunshine.

“The man who I saw on the bridge with his EarPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger.

“He obviously wasn’t with anyone, and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background. Probably the last pH๏τo on his phone.

“I’m not sure if he was with a carer or family member, but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger.”

The tiger was not harmed in the incident, but there is a lot of speculation about what will happen to him following the attack.

Cops have urged people not to share the video of the attack

South Yorkshire Police made a public statement saying: “At 1.35PM today (Saturday 10 October) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

“The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury.

“Emergency services attended, and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at the scene. The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.