Altai the tiger will return to enclosure days after mauling man to death

| Senior science and technology reporter Published October 15, 2026 4:44pm Updated October 15, 2026 5:06pm Altai the tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park (Picture: Yorkshire Wildlife Park/SWNS) Yorkshire Wildlife Park will reopen tomorrow, nearly a week after a tiger attacked a man who entered its enclosure. William Chapman was fatally injured by Altai the tiger last Saturday, prompting the park’s evacuation and closure. But the park said in an Instagram statement this afternoon that it will open its doors to the public tomorrow ‘following the tragic incident’. ‘Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family, friends and loved ones of William Chapman, who sadly lost his life,’ it said. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. ‘The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff team and animals remain our highest priority.’ The park added that Altai, an endangered Amur tiger, which is also known as a Siberian tiger, is ‘safe’ and will not be euthanised. An inquest opening into William’s death today heard he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, which is characterised by delusional thinking and hallucinations. His provisional cause of death was ‘multiple traumatic injuries’, the coroner said. Chapman, a self-employed online trader and former child actor, filmed his final moments as he approached the pen. Video posted on social media showed William and Altai, which at one point grabbed and bit him near the middle of his back. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Trump shares disturbing video of Yorkshire tiger mauling with ‘warning’ to America Arrow MORE: Man mauled to death ‘bowed to tiger’ before attack News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.