Yorkshire Wildlife Park will reopen to the public tomorrow, nearly a week after a tiger attacked a man who entered its enclosure. William Chapman was fatally injured by Altai the tiger last Saturday, prompting the park’s evacuation and closure.
Park statement on reopening
The park said in an Instagram statement this afternoon that it will open its doors to the public tomorrow ‘following the tragic incident’. ‘Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family, friends and loved ones of William Chapman, who sadly lost his life,’ it said.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff team and animals remain our highest priority.’ The park added that Altai, an endangered Amur tiger, which is also known as a Siberian tiger, is ‘safe’ and will not be euthanised.
Inquest details
An inquest opening into William’s death today heard he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, which is characterised by delusional thinking and hallucinations. His provisional cause of death was ‘multiple traumatic injuries’, the coroner said.
Chapman, a self-employed online trader and former child actor, filmed his final moments as he approached the pen. Video posted on social media showed William and Altai, which at one point grabbed and bit him near the middle of his back.
