Yorkshire Wildlife Park reopens as visitors view Altai tiger after fatal attack
Yorkshire Wildlife Park reopened on Friday, six days after William Chapman, 24, died after entering the enclosure of an Amur tiger near Doncaster. Visitors were able to see Altai, the 200kg male tiger involved in the attack, as the park sought to resume visits while asking guests to be respectful towards staff.
More than a dozen people gathered at the enclosure viewing platform at a time, and keepers answered questions and said Altai was doing well. The park said the tiger was uninjured and would not be euthanised. Chapman had climbed two fences into the enclosure; staff tried to stop the attack, including by firing five acoustic blasts. His family has raised concerns about the treatment he received before his death.
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park reopened six days after a fatal tiger attack.
- Visitors saw Altai, who keepers said was doing well.
- The park said the tiger would not be euthanised.
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Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a wildlife attraction near Doncaster, in South Yorkshire. Its animal enclosures are designed to let visitors view wildlife while keeping animals and people apart. Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are native to eastern Russia and parts of north-east Asia.
The tiger involved is called Altai. In Britain, dangerous wild animals such as tigers are kept under licence and subject to safety rules. When someone dies, police and other authorities may investigate how it happened and whether any procedures were followed.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Reopening after six days may help the park meet its responsibilities to visitors, staff and animals while restoring a valued public attraction. Keeping Altai on view, with staff available to answer questions, can reassure visitors about his welfare and avoid treating the tiger as culpable for a human entering his enclosure.
The case against
Reopening so soon after a fatal attack may feel insensitive to Chapman’s family and to staff and visitors affected by his death. Some may argue the park should allow more time for reflection and scrutiny, particularly while his family’s concerns about the treatment he received remain unresolved.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Tiger seen for first time since mauling man to death: Dozens of visitors queue to see Altai in his enclosure as zoo reopens to the public days after attack”.