Yorkshire Wildlife Park has announced that they will be reopening tomorrow (16 October) following the death of a man last week after he climbed into the tiger enclosure.
As the park reopens they’ve asked visitors ‘to be understanding and respectful towards our staff team, who have shown tremendous professionalism and dedication during an exceptionally difficult time’.
They also reassured people they were ‘providing specialist trauma support and ongoing care’ to people who were affected by the recent death.
In a statement published to social media they said: “Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family, friends and loved ones of William Chapman who sadly lost his life.
“The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff team and animals remain our highest priority.”
William Chapman, 24, died of his injuries (PA/South Yorkshire Police)
Chapman, 24, died of multiple traumatic injuries after he climbed into the tiger enclosure and was mauled by a tiger.
An inquest into his death opened today, which heard that Chapman had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had previously suffered from bouts of psychosis, the BBC reports.
Though the self-employed online trader was under the care of adult mental health services in Doncaster, he was described as ‘highly functioning and independent with no care requirements’.
Senior coroner Nicola Mundy told court staff to contact Yorkshire Wildlife Park to ask them to retain any CCTV footage of the incident.
Altai the tiger is ‘safe and well’
The wildlife park has made it clear that the tiger will not be put down as a result, and their staff were very concerned with his welfare.
Altai the tiger (Yorkshire Wildlife Park)
“We would like to thank all the people who have emailed, commented on our social media or contacted us with messages of support and love for our team at this time,” their statement continued.
“Many, many people also contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.
“His ongoing welfare at YWP remains a priority of our experienced animal care team.”
The tiger enclosure will be reopened along with the rest of the park, and YWP have made it clear they will still help South Yorkshire Police with their investigations into what happened.
During the tiger attack, zookeepers were seen trying to distract the animal by firing shots into the air, with their efforts eventually scaring it off.
With the tiger running away and hiding it allowed emergency services to reach Chapman, though sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene, and a ‘black screen’ was erected around the tiger enclosure to keep prying eyes away.
Emergency services had been contacted shortly after 1.30pm on 10 October, police said that Chapman had visited the wildlife park alone on the day he was killed.
Chapman was diagnosed with schizophrenia (PA/Family handout)
“The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,” they said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.
“The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did.
“William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.”
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