New details have emerged about the moments before a fatal tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, as eyewitness Anthony Hunt described how the animal's behaviour suddenly changed during what was meant to be a fun day out.
Mr Hunt, who was visiting with his girlfriend Scarlett, said the pair were taking photos of the big cat when they noticed a terrifying shift in its composure.
Eyewitness describes the tiger's change in behaviour
"Its eyes locked on to something in the enclosure. We thought maybe he's getting fed," Mr Hunt recalled, describing the moment the predator's instincts kicked in. Unbeknownst to the onlookers, William Chapman, 23, had entered the enclosure and was reportedly listening to music on headphones.
It was only when looking closely through the camera viewfinder that the horror of the situation became clear to the couple. "When Scarlett was taking photos, we suddenly saw in the camera lens that a guy had entered the enclosure," Mr Hunt added.
Witnesses recall the fatal encounter
Witnesses said they saw Mr Chapman bow down on all fours and begin praying toward the sky as onlookers shouted frantically for him to play dead. Mr Chapman reportedly did not appear to understand, telling the animal to "stop being naughty".
The 200kg (30-stone) Amur tiger, named Altai, leapt down from its wooden platform and sniffed Mr Chapman before launching the fatal attack.
Family and officials respond
The tragedy sparked international outrage after US President Donald Trump shared footage of the fatal encounter with his 13 million Truth Social followers alongside the caption: "Don't ever mess with nature!" Mr Trump later posted an AI-generated clip showing himself chasing and wrestling a tiger.
In an emotional statement, the grief-stricken family of Mr Chapman revealed that "deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress" at an "exceptionally vulnerable time." Describing the former child actor - who appeared alongside Harry Potter star Shirley Henderson in ITV's May Contain Nuts - as a "bright, warm and engaging young man," his family stated he suffered from "significant mental illness" and was on strong medication. They urged the public to stop sharing the footage while the coroner investigates.
Downing Street called on the public to respect the family's wishes, with Andy Burnham's official spokesman stating: "I think obviously the family have made their position clear. Of course, we respect that position."
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has confirmed the tiger will not be euthanised. The park remains closed while local authorities launch a health and safety investigation ahead of the opening of an inquest in Doncaster.
