William Chapman identified as man killed in tiger attack

The man who was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at a wildlife park has been identified as William Chapman, the BBC understands.

Chapman entered the enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster shortly after 13:30 BST on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to South Yorkshire Police.

An eyewitness described seeing the man wearing headphones and "pacing around" near the enclosure before he went in and was attacked. Police confirmed he was visiting the park on his own.

A force spokesperson said his family was aware and was being supported by specialist officers. The park was evacuated after the incident and remains closed as investigations continue.

City of Doncaster Council has also launched a health and safety investigation into the death, which a spokesperson said was "in line with our statutory duties".

Yorkshire Wildlife Park said their "thoughts and heartfelt sympathies" were with the man's family and confirmed the rare Amur tiger, called Altai, remained in the enclosure and would not be euthanised.

Chapman, described by eyewitnesses as in his 20s, was reported to have entered the enclosure after climbing down from a walkway.

Those who saw the attack said some witnesses had tried unsuccessfully to distract the tiger.

A spokesperson for the Born Free Foundation, which campaigns to phase out zoos, called for an "urgent review" into "how the man managed to enter the enclosure and what happened next".

Dr Campbell Murn, a previous member of the government's zoo expert committee and lecturer at the University of Reading, said while it was a tragic incident, determined people could get inside zoo enclosures.

"I view it in the same way a determined thief will get into somebody's house or somebody's car and despite the best security systems and enclosures sometimes these things happen," he said.