The man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park has been identified as William Chapman, as reports have revealed details of his social media activity shortly before the fatal incident.
Chapman, 23, was attacked by an Amur tiger named Altai at the Doncaster attraction on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
Emergency services attended the wildlife park shortly after 1.30pm, but despite efforts to save him, Chapman was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death prompted the temporary closure of the attraction and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Now, photographs and footage reportedly shared through Chapman's Instagram account have attracted attention, offering a glimpse into his activities on the day he died.
What did William Chapman post on Instagram before his death?
According to reports from the Daily Star and other news outlets, Chapman shared photographs of himself holding a Bible and a crossbow on the same day he was killed.
One image reportedly showed him sitting on a kitchen countertop with the crossbow across his lap and a crossbow bolt held between his teeth.
He appeared to be wearing clothing similar to the outfit he was seen in later at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Another report stated that the photograph was accompanied by a single heart emoji.
The significance of the images remains unclear, and there is no established evidence connecting the items shown in the photographs to his decision to enter the tiger enclosure.
There have been no reports suggesting that Chapman used the crossbow during the incident at the wildlife park.
His social media activity has nevertheless become a focus of attention following the tragedy.
Final video reportedly showed Chapman approaching the tiger
Chapman also reportedly uploaded a short video to Instagram moments before the fatal attack.
The footage appeared to have been recorded from inside the tiger enclosure and showed him slowly approaching Altai, who was resting on an elevated wooden platform.
In the recording, the person filming could be heard breathing heavily as voices shouted in the background.
The clip was widely reported after the incident, although the Instagram account from which it originated subsequently appeared to have been deleted.
ITV News and the Press Association also reported on the footage, describing the animal resting a short distance ahead of the camera.
The video does not establish why Chapman entered the enclosure or what he intended to do.
Witnesses describe unusual behaviour before fatal attack
Several visitors have described seeing Chapman near the tiger enclosure before the incident.
Some witnesses reported that he appeared to be dancing or moving unusually while wearing headphones.
Others claimed he knelt or bowed down near the enclosure before entering the restricted area.
One witness described a woman attempting to prevent him from going into the enclosure, although he reportedly continued despite her efforts.
Accounts of the precise sequence of events differ, and investigators have not publicly established the reason for his actions.
Some speculation has circulated online about gestures Chapman allegedly made towards the tiger.
However, there is insufficient evidence to establish what those gestures meant, and interpretations shared by bystanders should not be treated as confirmed explanations of his behaviour.
What happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park?
Chapman entered the enclosure housing Altai, an Amur tiger weighing approximately 30 stone.
The animal attacked him after he approached it.
Wildlife park staff activated emergency procedures and attempted to move the tiger away so that responders could reach Chapman.
Reports indicate that keepers used noise-producing equipment to encourage the animal to retreat into a secure area.
Visitors were evacuated while emergency services responded.
Despite their efforts, Chapman died from his injuries.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed that he had been visiting the attraction alone and that his family had been informed.
The incident left witnesses and wildlife park employees deeply affected.
William Chapman's family asks for privacy
Following the identification of Chapman, his family requested privacy as they came to terms with his death.
They also expressed concern about the circulation of footage showing the incident.
The family has urged people to treat William's memory with dignity and respect rather than sharing distressing material online.
Although his identity has been widely reported, police initially declined to release his name publicly at his family's request.
His relatives have since paid tribute to him while seeking answers about the circumstances of the tragedy.
Investigation launched after fatal tiger attack
City of Doncaster Council confirmed that it had launched a health and safety investigation following Chapman's death.
As the authority responsible for licensing Yorkshire Wildlife Park, the council is examining the circumstances surrounding the incident alongside other agencies.
South Yorkshire Police have also been involved in enquiries.
The investigation is expected to consider how Chapman accessed the restricted enclosure and whether any relevant safety measures require further examination.
The existence of an investigation does not itself establish wrongdoing by the wildlife park or its staff.
A coroner will also examine the circumstances surrounding Chapman's death.
Will Altai the tiger be euthanised?
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has confirmed that Altai will not be euthanised following the incident.
In a statement published on 15 October, the attraction reassured the public that the tiger was safe and well.
The park said Altai's ongoing welfare remained a priority for its experienced animal care team.
It also confirmed that the attraction, including its Land of the Tiger area, would reopen to visitors on Friday, 16 October, following discussions with the relevant authorities.
The park thanked members of the public for their support and asked visitors to be understanding towards staff affected by the tragedy.
Specialist support has been made available to employees who witnessed or responded to the incident.
Questions remain about Chapman's final hours
Although the reported Instagram photographs and video provide details about Chapman's activities before his death, they do not offer a definitive explanation for what happened.
Investigators have not publicly established why he entered the enclosure or what significance, if any, his earlier social media posts had.
The tragic incident has prompted wider discussion about visitor safety, the treatment of people experiencing vulnerability and the circulation of distressing footage online.
For Chapman's family, the priority remains grieving their loss and understanding the events that led to his death.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has said it will continue cooperating with the relevant authorities as enquiries progress.
Sources: Daily Star, ITV News, Press Association reporting and Yorkshire Wildlife Park's official statement dated 15 October 2026.
