The family of a man fatally mauled by a tiger at a Yorkshire wildlife attraction have revealed he had been prescribed "strong medication" before his death. William Chapman, in his mid-20s, was attacked after climbing into the tiger's enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday.
His relatives stated he had experienced mental health difficulties over numerous years and that it was for the coroner to determine whether his mental condition contributed to his death.
Video shows moments before attack
Video has surfaced of William recording himself moments after gaining access to the Land of the Tigers exhibit. The exhibit is a purpose-built, two-acre environment for Amur tigers, a critically endangered subspecies with approximately 500 surviving in the wild.
The footage shows William advancing towards the creature, with laboured breathing audible. He can be observed gradually moving towards a wooden structure where one of the tigers was resting.
Minutes before the fatal episode, William, who had been by himself and moving to music, had asked a visitor to take his photograph with the 200kg male Siberian tiger, Altai, visible in the background. He then began scaling into the habitat while a woman desperately tried to hold him back, before dropping 12 feet to the ground, reports the Mirror.
Family statement and investigation
Throughout the assault, William could be heard crying out "stop" continually and seemed to signal the gesture for 'bad' in Makaton, a communication method commonly employed by those who struggle with spoken communication. He was subsequently declared dead at the location.
William's relatives issued a statement on Tuesday revealing that William had experienced "significant mental illness" over several years and had been prescribed "strong medication".
"William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved - and William loved them back," the statement read. They indicated it would be for the coroner to determine whether his mental health condition contributed to his death.
"The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened. 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."
Park closure and inquiry
The 175-acre zoo near Doncaster, South Yorks., was shut on Saturday after a man jumped into the animal's enclosure. He was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police later said. A spokesperson from the park confirmed it was closed on Sunday, with the park's website detailing that it would also be closed on Monday. The attraction was cleared following the incident and remained shut for three days.
City of Doncaster Council has initiated a health and safety inquiry into William's death.
