William Chapman, a man in his mid-20s, has been identified as the individual who tragically died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday. The incident occurred shortly after 1:30 PM BST, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed that Chapman's family is aware of his death and is being supported by specialist officers. The park was evacuated following the incident and has remained closed as investigations by the police and the City of Doncaster Council are ongoing. The council has launched a health and safety investigation into the circumstances surrounding Chapman's death.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Chapman, who appeared to be wearing headphones, pacing near the enclosure before entering it. Mobile phone footage, believed to have been recorded by Chapman, reportedly shows the interior of the enclosure as he approached the tiger. Some witnesses attempted to distract the tiger during the incident but were unsuccessful.

Chapman was known for his past as a child actor. He was a former student of the Jackie Palmer Stage School and had appeared in the ITV production 'May Contain Nuts' alongside notable actors. He also portrayed Edward Jenner in a BBC series. The stage school released a statement expressing deep sadness and offering condolences to his family and friends.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park staff stated that their thoughts are with Chapman's family. They also confirmed that the Amur tiger involved in the incident, named Altai, remains in its enclosure and will not be euthanized. The park has faced calls for an urgent review into how the individual gained access to the enclosure and the subsequent events.

Details emerging suggest Chapman may have entered the enclosure by climbing down from a walkway. The social media account believed to belong to Chapman, which posted footage appearing to show the moments before the attack, has since been removed.

A spokesperson for the Born Free Foundation, an organization advocating for the phasing out of zoos, has called for a thorough review of the incident and zoo safety protocols. Experts suggest such incidents highlight the critical need for stringent enclosure security and visitor safety measures.

The investigation will likely focus on the security of the enclosure, the actions of the individual, and the response of park staff. The findings are expected to inform future safety guidelines for wildlife parks and zoos across the country.