UK4 min(s) read
Animal keeper gives verdict on whether man could have survived as chilling new information explains why he pointed finger at tiger
An animal keeper has given their verdict on whether the man could have survived after being mauled by a tiger at a UK zoo.
William Chapman, 23, jumped into an enclosure housing the rare Amur tiger, Altai, at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday (October 10).
The man, who witnesses said had seemed "so happy," reportedly pointed his finger at the big cat and told it to "stop being naughty," before it pounced at his neck.
Zoo keepers fired gas-powered acoustic guns into the air to frighten the wild animal. It retreated to a nearby shelter and was quickly secured, unharmed. But tragically, the victim was declared dead at the scene.
Chapman's family speaks out
According to the 23-year-old's family, he had suffered from "significant mental illness" over a number of 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," they said.
The family spoke about the videos circulating online, including one recorded by Chapman himself, which showed him approaching the tiger, and said: "The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time.
"The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened," the statement continued. "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."
Could the victim have survived the attack?
Onlookers who watched Chapman enter the danger zone reportedly told him to "play dead," in hopes that the animal would ignore the man. But he appeared to not understand their warnings.
Reece Oliver, an expert animal keeper, said the young man "stood no chance" of survival.
"You can't say the tiger was being malice," Oliver told Sky News. "But what we have to think is, the tiger is 200 kilos. If it really wanted to kill him, it could've probably killed him in ten seconds.
"I don't think it knew what it was going to do, because the only thing that goes into that enclosure normally, would be enrichment toys or food.
"So I think he was probably just playing, using his predatory instinct, seeing what it was - and unfortunately, it ended up being a fatal attack," he added.
Chapman was a former child actor
It has emerged that Chapman was a former student at the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, which was attended by many stars like James Corden, Eddie Redmayne, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
The school paid tribute to him on Instagram, writing: "We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us.
"It was a privilege to be part of his journey, and he will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with William's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time," they added.
As a young actor, Chapman appeared in the ITV show May Contain Nuts alongside Shirley Henderson, who was known for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter franchise, and Darren Boyd, BBC reported.
The two-part comedy drama aired in 2009, and Chapman portrayed the role of Alfie Chaplin, the younger son of Henderson and Boyd's characters.
He is also credited with playing Edward Jenner, who pioneered the smallpox vaccine, as a young boy in the BBC series True Stories in 2012.
Our thoughts continue to be with his loved ones at this time.