A man who died after being mauled by a tiger at a British wildlife park has been identified as William Chapman, after footage emerged appearing to show him approaching the animal inside its enclosure. Chapman, believed to be twenty, was pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon following the attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

The incident involved Altai, a five-year-old Siberian tiger weighing around 30 stone. Disturbing footage recorded by Chapman reportedly shows him entering the predator’s enclosure and moving towards the animal.

In the video, Chapman can be seen walking towards the tiger as it sits on a raised wooden platform. The animal does not initially appear to notice him. Heavy breathing can be heard as visitors watching the scene urge him to turn around, with one person shouting, “Seriously”.

It is believed Chapman jumped from a viewing platform into the enclosure before the tiger seized him and dragged him away. Reports also suggest a visitor took a photograph of him with the animal visible in the background shortly before he entered the restricted area.

Police reportedly described Chapman as vulnerable. He is understood to have been living in Doncaster around the time of the incident.

Terrifying Scenes Witnessed by Families

Further footage appears to show Chapman sitting on the grass directly in front of the tiger, pointing his finger at the animal and kicking towards it.

Visitors attempted to draw the tiger’s attention away from him, with one person shouting “Hey!” twice. However, the animal then clamped its jaws around Chapman’s neck and dragged him away.

In another recording, Chapman can be heard shouting, “No, no, no!” followed by repeated cries of “Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!” as the tiger lunges towards him.

The attack unfolded in front of park visitors, including families with young children, leaving witnesses horrified.

One account of the incident described seeing blood and the tiger “dragging the man” by his neck.

Reports also stated that a woman attempted to pull Chapman back as he entered the enclosure in an effort to prevent him from reaching the animal.

Rangers Intervene to Secure the Tiger

Park rangers reportedly fired warning shots in an attempt to frighten the tiger away from Chapman. The animal eventually retreated into its enclosure and was secured.

The wildlife park remained closed on Sunday following the incident, while staff affected by the traumatic events were offered specialist support.

The attack has raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding Chapman’s entry into the enclosure and the risks posed when visitors gain access to areas restricted to the public.

Wildlife Park Confirms Tiger Is Safe

Yorkshire Wildlife Park subsequently confirmed that Altai was “safe and well” and stated that the tiger would not be euthanised following the fatal incident.

The case has drawn attention to the difficult circumstances surrounding serious incidents involving dangerous animals, particularly when they occur in public wildlife attractions.

While the investigation focuses on how the incident unfolded, the park’s confirmation that Altai remains safe has also highlighted the distinction between an animal acting on its natural instincts and the circumstances that allowed a person to enter its enclosure.

Further details about the incident and the events leading up to Chapman’s death may emerge as investigations continue.