Yorkshire Wildlife Park to reopen tiger attraction after fatal attack
Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort is due to reopen on Friday, including its Land of the Tiger attraction, after visitor William Chapman died after entering a tiger enclosure last weekend. The park says visitor, staff and animal safety remain priorities, and has asked visitors to treat staff with understanding and respect as they return after a difficult period.
Chapman, 24, was attacked by Altai, a 200kg Siberian tiger; the zoo says the animal is safe and well and will not be euthanised. The park said it is providing specialist trauma support to affected staff. Animal welfare consultant Tasha Lewis said moving Altai would be unnecessary, but argued the enclosure should be secured so visitors cannot enter and should provide suitable space for the tiger.
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park plans to reopen on Friday.
- William Chapman died after entering Altai’s enclosure.
- The zoo says Altai will not be euthanised.
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Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a wildlife park in South Yorkshire, with areas where visitors can see animals in large enclosures. Its Land of the Tiger attraction is home to Siberian tigers, including Altai, a male tiger weighing about 200kg.
The park has responsibility for keeping visitors and staff safe while providing suitable conditions for its animals. After a visitor’s death, questions about enclosure security and animal welfare have drawn attention to how those responsibilities are managed.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Reopening could restore a valued attraction, support the park’s staff and wider operations, and allow visitors to see the tiger while the park reviews what happened. If the enclosure can be made secure and the park can demonstrate that visitors and animals are protected, reopening need not mean dismissing the seriousness of the death or the need for change.
The case against
Resuming visits to the attraction so soon after a fatal attack could undermine public confidence and place visitors, staff and the tiger under further strain. A pause until the circumstances are fully reviewed and safeguards are independently checked would show respect for the person who died and help ensure that any risks are addressed before the attraction reopens.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Tiger zoo to reopen after visitor was mauled to death as bosses ask public to be ‘understanding and respectful’ to staff”.