‼️ FIRST PHOTOS REVEALED OF MAN MAULED TO DEATH BY TIGER AT YORKSHIRE ZOO
The man who was mauled to death by a Siberian tiger after climbing into its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England has reportedly been identified as William Chapman, believed to be in his early 20s.
New photographs have emerged of Chapman, including a selfie taken at a gym and another disturbing image reportedly shared on social media the day he died.
In that photograph, Chapman is seen holding a Bible and a crossbow with a crossbow bolt between his teeth. He appears to be wearing the same clothing seen in footage recorded shortly before Saturday’s fatal attack.
According to The Sun, Chapman had been living in the Doncaster area and was described by police as vulnerable.
Witnesses say Chapman was alone at the wildlife park on October 10, dancing along a walkway above the tiger enclosure while listening to music through his AirPods.
He appeared happy before approaching a woman, identified as Del Taylor, and asking her to photograph him with Altai, a 440-pound Siberian tiger, in the background.
Chapman reportedly requested several photographs before thanking her.
Moments later, he began climbing over the safety barrier.
A woman desperately attempted to stop him, reportedly grabbing him and trying to pull him back. However, Chapman broke free and dropped approximately 12 feet into the enclosure.
Footage reportedly uploaded to Instagram shortly before the attack shows Chapman slowly approaching Altai, who was resting on a raised wooden platform.
His heavy breathing can be heard as horrified visitors shout warnings, including one person yelling, “Seriously!”
Other footage shows Chapman sitting on the grass facing the tiger, pointing his finger at the animal and kicking toward it.
Witnesses described his behavior as unusual, with some suggesting he appeared disconnected from reality.
When Altai attacked, Chapman reportedly screamed “No!” and repeatedly yelled at the tiger to “stop.”
Other witnesses said he told the animal to “stop being naughty” and appeared to make a gesture resembling the Makaton sign for “bad,” a communication system often used by individuals with speech or learning difficulties.
The tiger eventually clamped its jaws around Chapman’s neck and dragged him away.
Zookeepers reportedly fired five loud acoustic blasts in an attempt to frighten Altai away. The tiger eventually retreated and was secured inside its enclosure.
Emergency crews, including an air ambulance, responded around 1:35 p.m., but Chapman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has confirmed that Altai, the five-year-old Siberian tiger, will not be euthanized.
“We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident,” the park said.
An animal ranger, Charlotte Pywell, also defended the tiger, saying, “It was not the tiger’s fault at all.”
The wildlife park was evacuated following the attack and remained closed as traumatized staff received specialist support.
The City of Doncaster Council has launched a formal health and safety investigation, working alongside police and other agencies.
Chapman’s family has been notified and is receiving support from specialist officers.
Although witnesses have described Chapman’s unusual behavior, authorities have not confirmed whether he had any medical, developmental or mental health conditions that may have contributed to his actions.
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