UK4 min(s) read
Expert drops chilling theory on tiger during fatal attack as new detail explains why man pointed finger at animal
An expert has shared a theory on the tiger's actions during the fatal attack.
Horrified onlookers watched as William Chapman, a 23-year-old former child actor, jumped into an enclosure housing the rare Amur tiger, Altai, at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday (October 10).
A woman reportedly tried to pull him back to safety, but he managed to leap over the safety barriers.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 1.35PM, but medical crews were unable to save Chapman, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Onlookers who watched Chapman, who was described as vulnerable, enter the tiger's den reportedly told him to "play dead," in hopes that the animal would ignore the man. But he appeared to not understand their warnings.
The man reportedly pointed his finger at the tiger and told it to "stop being naughty," before it pounced at his neck.
An animal expert explains why the tiger may have attacked
Reece Oliver, an animal expert and licensed zookeeper, has since offered an explanation for the tiger's behavior, noting that big cats are accustomed to only certain objects entering their enclosures.
"The only thing that goes into that enclosure normally would be sort of 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 said.
Oliver warned that humans can never tame a wild beast's natural instincts and emphasized that anyone entering an enclosure is stepping into a completely different world.
"It's hard to say without seeing the evidence what actually happened, but tigers are solitary animals and an apex predator," he continued. "The guy had gone into the tiger's world, and tigers don't live by our rules because at the end of the day they're a tiger."
Zookeeper defends the wildlife park's safety measures
The expert also addressed concerns about whether security measures at wildlife parks should be strengthened.
"The zoo standards are out there, and they are very safe. You can only build so much to stop people. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is an amazing facility, it's one of the best in the UK," he said.
"There are safety precautions, all of the fences are all up to standards and above. There is also stand-off barriers that stop the public from touching the fences. You know, where do you draw the line?
"It's like an airport. How do you stop somebody climbing into an airport? There is fences around an airport but someone could still cut the fence or go in. It's very difficult to eliminate every situation because, at the end of the day, a human can gain access," he added.
Tiger was not euthanized after the tragedy
In a statement issued online, the wildlife park thanked those who had expressed concern and said their "thoughts and heartfelt sympathies" remained with Chapman's family.
The park also confirmed that the tiger was "safe and well and will not be euthanized" after the incident.
The late man's bereaved family revealed that 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.
They have also urged people not to share the videos of the horrific attack, including the one posted by Donald Trump himself.
"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 utmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did."