Altai the tiger has been seen for the first time since a man was fatally mauled at a zoo in Yorkshire.
William Chapman, 24, died after climbing into the big-cat enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday. He was attacked by Altai, one of the park’s two rare Amur tigers—a 200kg male.
The former child actor, who was considered vulnerable and had a history of “significant” mental health problems, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has since raised concerns about the treatment he received before his death.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park remained closed after the incident before reopening to visitors on Friday morning.
The Land of the Tigers exhibit also welcomed guests back, while park bosses urged visitors to be “understanding and respectful” towards staff.
After the gates opened, a steady flow of visitors entered the zoo and made their way past the tiger enclosure. More than a dozen people were gathered on the viewing platform at times.
Keepers stood nearby to greet visitors and respond to questions about the big cats as guests watched from the raised platform.
Altai was seen lying in the shade before staff gave him a large piece of meat. One keeper said the tiger was “doing fine” following the tragedy.
Altai, the 200kg Amur tiger involved in the attack on Mr Chapman, is pictured in his enclosure as Yorkshire Wildlife Park reopened on Friday
Altai was photographed at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Friday morning after the attraction reopened
Zookeepers said Altai was “doing fine”; the park had previously confirmed that the tiger would not be euthanised
The park reopened to visitors on Friday after remaining closed since the fatal incident
Visitors streamed past the tiger enclosure after the park reopened on Friday
Some visitors were seen queuing outside the park before opening time, while many said on social media that they wanted to show their support for staff after the attack.
A sign at the entrance, featuring a cheetah, promoted a “today only” offer allowing visitors to upgrade their ticket to an annual membership for £60.
Numerous social media posts also voiced support for Altai, with people describing the “beautiful” tiger as having “done nothing wrong”.
One post read: “Such a stunning boy… it was a terrible tragedy, but we must remember that he is still a wild animal and his instincts take over when someone enters his territory.
“It is so heartbreaking for the family, but I am glad the park made the right decision about the fate of that beautiful tiger.”
In the minutes before the fatal attack, Chapman had reportedly been dancing on a raised walkway above the tiger enclosure while listening to music through his AirPods. He also asked a visitor to photograph him with Altai in the background.
Guests said Chapman did not appear “attached to reality” before climbing over two fences and entering the enclosure. Once inside, he posted a final video to Instagram showing himself approaching the tiger.
After it attacked, zookeepers are said to have done everything they could to stop Altai, including firing five loud acoustic gun blasts in an attempt to scare him.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at 1.35pm, but Mr Chapman was confirmed to have died at the scene.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park later confirmed Altai was uninjured and would not be euthanised as a result of the incident.
A statement from Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort yesterday announced it would be reopening today, and said: ‘Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family, friends and loved ones of William Chapman who sadly lost his life.
William Chapman, 24, who had a history of mental illness, was mauled to death after entering the tiger pen at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday
Visitors returned to the park on Friday after its closure since October 10
Signs at the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park warn visitors not to lean over the barrier
A small number of guests queued up outside the park before opening today, as bosses advertised a ‘today only’ annual membership offer
Zookeepers were said to have done ‘everything they could’ to drive the tiger away from Mr Chapman, firing five loud gun blasts in an attempt to scare him
An air ambulance and police van arriving at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday afternoon
‘The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff team and animals remain our highest priority.’
It added: ‘As we welcome visitors back, we would ask everyone to be understanding and respectful towards our staff team, who have shown tremendous professionalism and dedication during an exceptionally difficult time.
‘We are providing specialist trauma support and ongoing care for those affected.’
At an inquest opening on Thursday, it was heard that following a post-mortem, Mr Chapman’s provisional cause of death was listed as ‘multiple traumatic injuries’ after his encounter with the tiger.
It heard that he had a history of mental illness, a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis.
‘His family have expressed a number of concerns in relation to his contact with mental health services leading up to his death,’ coroner’s officer Caitlin Brookes said.
At the time of his death, Mr Chapman was a self-employed online trader who was under the care of Doncaster Mental Health Services but was ‘highly functioning and independent with no care requirements’, the inquest heard.
Ms Brookes said the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust had launched an investigation following Mr Chapman’s death.
The City of Doncaster Council, the licensing authority for the zoo, has launched a health and safety probe, while South Yorkshire Police also investigate the matter.
