The man killed by a tiger after entering its zoo enclosure has been named.
William Chapman was killed at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday, after climbing into the big cat’s enclosure.
Pictures from his social media account show him posing for selfies at the gym. On the day of his death, Chapman posted another picture in which he posed with a Bible and crossbow.
He is wearing the same tracksuit in that post as when he jumped into the tiger’s enclosure.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Chapman posted a video of the animal moments before the attack. He can be heard breathing heavily before the short clip cuts out.
The video, which was shared on Instagram, appears to be filmed from inside the tiger pen. It shows Chapman’s view as he slowly approaches the big cat, which stares at him from a high wooden platform.
Onlookers can be heard in the background saying “oh my God” as he walks towards the animal before the fatal mauling.
Previous footage shared on social media showed the man crying “no, no” during the fatal attack and screaming “stop” as he pointed at the animal.
The tiger could be seen approaching the man from behind and grabbing the back of his shirt near the neckline, lifting him off the ground.
Moments later, the tiger lurched towards his right shoulder as the man clenched both fists with his little fingers sticking out. It has been suggested that this could have been the sign for “bad” in Makaton, a form of communication used by people with learning disabilities.
Anthony Hunt, who was visiting the zoo with his girlfriend, Scarlett Hogan, told the Telegraph that a mother in the area with her two children had tried to pull the man back as he tried to jump.
“He overpowered her and jumped off. She seemed really frightened,” Hunt said. “We spoke to her after and she was like: ‘I tried to pull him back’. But I guess she didn’t want to risk her own life as well.”
The wildlife park has said that the animal, a Siberian tiger named Altai, will not be euthanised. The wildlife park was closed on Tuesday (local time).
Investigation launched
Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on October 10 when the man, whom police said was visiting the park alone, entered the enclosure. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The City of Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park, said on Monday it had started a health and safety investigation.
Dan Swaine, the council’s executive director of place, said: “We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident.
“We ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time.”
The wildlife park earlier said “many people” had contacted them about Altai, the Amur tiger, and it confirmed he was “safe and well” and would not be euthanised.
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