Yorkshire Wildlife Park reopens after man killed by tiger

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has reopened, six days after 24-year-old William Chapman was killed by a tiger at the Doncaster attraction. The circumstances of his death remain under investigation, and an inquest has been adjourned until March 2027. [1]

Chapman was mauled in an enclosure on Saturday, and visitors were evacuated. The park said it reopened on Friday after engaging with the relevant authorities. Its Land of the Tiger area, where the incident happened in front of staff and visitors, has also reopened.

The tiger, Altai, is “safe and well” and will not be euthanised, the park said. It said the animal’s welfare remained a priority and that it was assisting South Yorkshire Police and other agencies with their inquiries. The park is providing trauma support to people affected, it added.

At an inquest hearing on Thursday, the court heard that Chapman had a history of mental illness, including previous episodes of psychosis, and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. His family raised concerns about his contact with mental health services before his death. He had been under the care of Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust, which said it had launched an investigation but could not comment further because of patient confidentiality.

Doncaster council, which licenses the park, is conducting a health and safety investigation and will share its findings with the coroner, the inquest was told. The inquest is due to resume on 18 March 2027.