Man killed by tiger at UK wildlife park pictured

The man who was mauled to death by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park after entering its enclosure has been identified as William Chapman, Sky News understands.

Mr Chapman appears to have filmed himself approaching the animal in the moments before the attack, according to footage posted on his personal social media and seen by Sky News.

The footage shows him apparently approaching the tiger, which can be seen lying on top of a wooden platform, a few metres in front of the camera.

The person filming can be heard breathing heavily as distant voices shout "Oh my God" and "seriously".

Earlier this week, South Yorkshire Police confirmed that he was visiting the park alone on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses nearby the enclosure said people were frantically telling Mr Chapman to "play dead", but it appeared he did not understand. He was heard telling the tiger to "stop being naughty".

The park remained closed for a fourth day on Tuesday after it was evacuated on Saturday.

City of Doncaster Council has said it has launched a health and safety investigation into the incident.

In a statement on social media on Saturday, the park said its "emergency response procedures were immediately activated".

Another statement posted later said that "many, many people" had contacted them about the tiger, called Altai, and confirmed that the animal is "safe and well" and will not be euthanised.

Witnesses 'shaken up'

Several witnesses said they had seen Mr Chapman "dancing with headphones on" shortly before he climbed into the enclosure.

Anthony Hunt, had been at the wildlife park with his girlfriend Scarlet, said they had been taking pictures of the tiger when they saw its composure change and its head turn.

"Its eyes locked on to something in the enclosure. We thought maybe he's getting fed. When Scarlett was taking photos - we suddenly saw in the camera lens that a guy had entered the enclosure," said Anthony.

The victim "bowed down, on all fours, started praying, and looking up at the sky," he said.

"The tiger was still on the landing at this point" but then "leapt off the landing, and sniffed the guy".

Anthony added that he and Scarlet had later spoken to a woman who said she'd "tried to stop" Mr Chapman from entering the enclosure, claiming she'd "tried to pull him back" but was unable to stop him.

"She was shaken up," said Anthony.

Another witness, Alex Underwood, who had also been at the wildlife park with his girlfriend, said: "We were on the tiger bridge and I spotted him - he was dancing with his earphones on."

"He said 'can you take a photo of me please?'. She [my girlfriend] said 'yes'. Then he said 'another one, another one'. He didn't look into the camera.

"He looked at us both and said thank you."

Alex, who said he left the bridge with his girlfriend soon after, added: "We heard someone had jumped in and thought of him for some reason."

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