The tiger that killed William Chapman at Yorkshire Wildlife Park is "one of the scariest" apex predators in the world, according to a wildlife biologist, as a health and safety investigation gets underway.
Chapman was fatally attacked when he entered the tiger enclosure at the Doncaster-based park on Saturday (October 10). The tiger involved, named Altai, is an Amur tiger, also known as a Siberian tiger.
Expert comments on the tiger and safety measures
Wildlife biologist Rosie Moore described the incident as a "tragic situation" but emphasised that despite being raised in captivity, Altai remains a wild animal. Speaking to Fox News, she said: "A Siberian tiger is one of the scariest, apex predators in the world." Ms Moore also stated that she understands the zoo's safety measures to be of "incredible" standards.
Addressing comments suggesting footage of the attack showed the creature "playing" with Chapman, Ms Moore stated: "These tigers [weigh] up to 600 pounds and are raised in some of the harshest environments in the world."
When asked what zoo staff can do if a member of the public enters an enclosure, the biologist told Fox News: "Typically, they'll immediately enact an emergency protocol which would involve euthanasia, but some of these attacks happen so quickly and are so unexpected that there's only so much you can do."
The expert concurred with the zoo's decision not to euthanise the tiger, adding: "Obviously, because it doesn't pose a threat to public safety or other people."
Family statement and investigation
On the topic of whether enclosures need to be more secure, Ms Moore commented: "From what I've heard, the safety measures at this zoo are actually incredible. The thing is that here now we're talking about keeping people out from the tigers instead of keeping tigers away from the people. Overall, there's only so much you can do there."
Ms Moore's remarks came as Chapman's family released a statement and described online media content as "deeply offensive", reports the Express. They said in a statement: "The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
"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."
They added: "William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved - and William loved them back. Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication. It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death. We would ask everybody to respect that process."
The family's statement was issued on the same day US President Donald Trump reposted a widely shared video of the incident. Trump accompanied the short clip - which showed the animal biting and clawing Chapman as he sat in the enclosure, but not him being killed - with the signed message: "Don't ever mess with nature!".
On Wednesday morning, Trump followed this up with another post - this time an AI-generated video of him wrestling with a tiger, which appears to replicate the original. The outlandish clip, which is set to the Tight Fit hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", shows the president mimicking the pointing gesture made by Chapman, and concludes with him embracing the beast.
City of Doncaster Council, which oversees licensing for the park, announced on Monday it had launched a health and safety investigation. Dan Swaine, executive director of place at the council, said: "As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation.
"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. At this time, we won't be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time."
In an earlier statement on social media, the wildlife park revealed "many, many people" had contacted them about Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, and it confirmed he is "safe and well" and will not be put down.
