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Tiger that killed William Chapman is pictured for first time and shown to public as Wildlife Park reopens
The tiger that was involved in the death of William Chapman on Saturday (October 10) has been seen for the first time since the location reopened.
Altai the tiger has been pictured at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, after it was closed to visitors in light of the tragedy.
Chapman, whose inquest has revealed his cause of death as ‘1A multiple traumatic injuries and 1B animal interaction,’ had been attacked by the tiger upon entering the tiger enclosure at the wildlife park in the UK.
In the days that followed, more details about Chapman, his life, and health were made known to the public.
For instance, he had been a former child actor, lived alone, but also appeared to struggle heavily with his mental health.
The inquest opening into his death heard how he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, which the Mayo Clinic reveals includes the likes of delusional thinking and hallucinations.
Coroner officer Caitlin Brookes told the court of Chapman’s final moments: “He was approached by the tiger and the ensuing physical contact between the tiger and Mr Chapman led to him sustaining multiple traumatic injuries which rapidly led to his death.”
It was also noted during the inquest that his underlying health had been noted in his case and as a potential factor.
However, more will need to be investigated.
Now that the park is back up and running, Altai has been seen for the first time in his habitat, and it has since been revealed that he will not be euthanized after the killing.
In the released images, Altai can be seen lounging on the grass in his den under a tree.
Another shows him with a hunk of raw meat in his mouth.
According to reports at the time of Chapman’s death, he had scaled the fence to Altai’s enclosure and entered, before the tiger pawed at him and clamped down on his neck.
The endangered Siberian tiger was apparently what Chapman had asked to be pictured with before climbing into the den.
Per witness statements, he asked fellow park-goers to take a photo of him with the big cat before entering the pen wearing headphones.
Social media videos then showed Chapman and Altai together, and the tiger pawing, grabbing at him, and then eventually biting him near the middle of his back and back of his neck.
Chapman could then be seen pointing at the tiger as if to tell him off.
At the time of his death, it was heard that he had been known to the local mental health services.
An officer said: "During my communications with Mr Chapman's family they confirmed he had a history of mental illness, a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis and was under the care of Doncaster Mental Health Services.
"Despite his diagnosis Mr Chapman was highly functioning and independent.
"His family have expressed a number of concerns in relation to his contact with mental health services leading up to his death.”
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