Yorkshire Wildlife Park is still offering customers the chance to adopt one of its big cats for £75, days after a man was fatally mauled by a tiger at the Doncaster attraction.
Emergency services were called to the park just after 1.30pm on Saturday (October 10) after the victim, named as William Chapman, entered the tiger enclosure and was attacked. Video clips circulating online show the man being clawed and seized by the tiger, named Altai. He was declared dead at the scene, and South Yorkshire Police confirmed his relatives have been notified.
Adoption packages still on sale
Despite the incident, the park is still promoting its 'Adoption Box' packages, which include a certificate, photo and entry vouchers, with pictures of its Amur tigers. Customers can choose which animal they want to sponsor on the zoo's website, which states: "Adoption Box Includes: Photograph of you, Adoption Certificate, Animal Fact File Card, 2x Adult Park Admission Vouchers (Valid for 6 months)."
The website adds: "20% of your Animal Adoption purchase goes towards the WildLife Foundation and helps fund incredible conservation projects around the world! The choice of adopted animal is made during the checkout process."
Pricing and tigers at the park
A standard adoption box is priced at £75, while a tiger adoption box with a cuddly toy costs £82. Visitors are unable to specify which of the two Amur tigers at the park they want to adopt before purchasing. The two tigers are believed to be Tschuna, a female who has been a resident since 2013, and Altai, the tiger responsible for Saturday's fatal attack.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park declined to comment when approached by the Daily Star. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy are still under investigation by both police and City of Doncaster Council.
Investigation ongoing
The victim has been identified as William Chapman. Pictures on his social media account show him holding a bible and a crossbow in what appear to be the same clothes he wore when he entered the tiger enclosure. The photo, uploaded on the day of the death, shows him holding a crossbow bolt between his teeth.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park remained closed as of Tuesday. Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park, said it has launched a health and safety investigation into Saturday's incident.
