Man killed after entering tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
South Yorkshire Police confirmed the death, the park remains closed and a health‑safety probe has been launched.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A 30‑year‑old man died after entering the enclosure of a male Siberian tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday afternoon, according to South Yorkshire Police and the park.
What happened
Eyewitnesses said the man, later identified as William Chapman, was pacing around the park wearing headphones shortly after 1:30 pm. He climbed down from a walkway and entered the tiger’s pen, where the 200 kg male, named Altai, attacked him. The park was evacuated and remained closed on the following day while investigations continue.
What the reports add
- DailyMail reported that Chapman was dancing to music with AirPods in, asked a fellow visitor to take a photo of him with the tiger in the background, and then began climbing onto a wooden platform inside the enclosure while a woman tried to hold him back. He dropped about 12 ft to the floor before the tiger lunged.
- Standard.co.uk noted that the tiger was not euthanised and that Doncaster Council has launched a health‑and‑safety investigation, describing the probe as “in line with our statutory duties”.
- Both outlets referenced a video posted on social media that showed Chapman’s approach to the tiger, the onlookers shouting “oh my god”, and the moments before the attack. The DailyMail version highlighted his repeated screams of “stop” and a gesture for “bad” in Makaton.
What was said
“Regarding rumours surrounding the condition of the tiger, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public,” South Yorkshire Police said.
Del Taylor, a park witness, said: “I just wish people would take a moment to think about why maybe he'd do something like this… It’s so upsetting to think that apart from that awful viral video of him being attacked by the tiger online the last photo of that man probably alive is the one that I’ve taken on his phone for him.”
A spokesperson for the Born Free Foundation called for an “urgent review” into “how the man managed to enter the enclosure and what happened next”.
South Yorkshire Police said the man was pronounced dead at the scene and that his family was being supported by specialist officers. Yorkshire Wildlife Park said its “thoughts and heartfelt sympathies” were with the family and confirmed Altai would remain in the enclosure.
How it came about
The incident follows a similar fatal encounter at the same park on 10 Oct 2026, which Felo News covered in Man dies after entering tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. That earlier case also involved Altai and resulted in the park’s temporary closure. The new death has prompted renewed scrutiny of safety measures and visitor behaviour at the facility.
Key facts
- William Chapman died after entering the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. (standard.co.uk)
- The tiger involved is a 200 kg male Siberian tiger named Altai. (dailymail.co.uk)
- South Yorkshire Police pronounced the victim dead at the scene. (standard.co.uk)
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park remained closed and launched an investigation. (standard.co.uk)
- A health‑and‑safety investigation was opened by Doncaster Council. (standard.co.uk)
Where accounts differ
- Victim's identity: The man has not been named. (dailymail.co.uk); The victim was identified as William Chapman. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk
- [2] standard.co.uk
