Tiger That Killed Man at UK Wildlife Park Will Not Be Put Down
A five-year-old Amur tiger named Altai will not be euthanised after fatally attacking a man who entered its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, England, on October 10. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the man was pronounced dead. The park closed following the tragedy as police launched an investigation.
Witnesses described seeing the man approach the tiger before climbing over barriers and entering its enclosure. Some said a woman appeared to try to stop him, while others reported seeing him approach the animal and lower himself towards it. Authorities have urged the public not to share disturbing footage of the incident, and the circumstances surrounding the man’s actions remain under investigation.
The victim was reportedly identified by media outlets as William Chapman, although police have not publicly named him at his family’s request. Reports have also suggested he had experienced significant mental health difficulties, but authorities have not confirmed what led him to enter the enclosure. Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation, while the wildlife park has offered support to affected staff.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirmed that Altai is safe, uninjured and will not be put down because of the incident. The tiger arrived from a Norwegian wildlife park in 2025 as part of a conservation breeding programme for the endangered Amur tiger. While the investigation continues, the park has made its position clear: Altai will not be euthanised as a result of the fatal encounter.