14.10.2026 09:52
Footage and posts from before the death of William Chapman, who died after entering the area where a tiger was kept at a wildlife park in England, have emerged. It was learned that the young man recorded moments shortly before the attack in which he approached the tiger, and on the day of the incident shared a photo taken of him holding a Bible and a crossbow. As the woman who took Chapman's last photo recounted what happened in tears, park management announced that the tiger that attacked would not be put down.
In an incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster in England's South Yorkshire region, William Chapman, said to be in his early 20s, climbed over the safety barriers and entered the area where the tigers were kept.
Chapman, who jumped down from a height of about 3.6 metres, was attacked by an Amur tiger named Altai. The young man died shortly after 13:30 on Saturday.
HE RECORDED THE MOMENTS BEFORE THE ATTACK
It emerged that Chapman had recorded on his mobile phone the moments just before the incident, as he walked towards the tiger. In the footage, the young man's breathing can be heard, and it was reported that visitors nearby reacted with shock to what was happening.
According to eyewitnesses, before entering the area where the tiger was kept, Chapman listened to music with earphones and danced. He then asked a visitor to take his photo with the tiger visible behind him. Even though a woman nearby tried to stop him, Chapman climbed over the safety barrier and jumped into the area where the tiger was.
THE PHOTO HE SHARED BEFORE HIS DEATH DREW ATTENTION
The photos the young man published on his social media account before his death also came to the fore.
In one frame Chapman shared on the day of the incident, he was seen holding a Bible and a crossbow, with a crossbow bolt in his mouth. It drew attention that in the photo he was wearing the clothes he had on when he entered the zoo.
Chapman's account also featured a photo taken of him at a gym, as well as a visit to the Pantheon in Paris and an image of an Ancient Greek-style helmet.
THE WOMAN WHO TOOK HIS LAST PHOTO COULD NOT HOLD BACK HER TEARS
Del Taylor, who took Chapman's photo with the tiger, described what happened in a video she published on social media after the incident.
Taylor, who stated that the young man was dancing with his earphones on and seemed very happy, said that thinking she might have taken his last photo before the attack upset her.
Taylor also reacted to the hurtful comments made about the incident on social media, stating that people should not jump to firm conclusions about what happened.
INTERVENTION WAS CARRIED OUT TO DRIVE THE TIGER AWAY
Eyewitnesses said that after Chapman entered the area where the tiger was kept, he approached the animal and made some movements. After the attack began, park staff activated the emergency procedure. A noise-making intervention vehicle was used to drive the tiger away, but the young man could not be saved.
THE TIGER WILL NOT BE PUT DOWN
After the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was temporarily closed to visitors, while authorities launched a safety review.
Park management announced that the tiger named Altai involved in the attack was healthy and would not be put down.
It was reported that South Yorkshire Police forwarded the file on the incident to the authority conducting the forensic death investigation.