Family pleads to end sharing of tiger‑attack video after Trump reposts clip

The 23‑year‑old William Chapman was killed on Saturday when a tiger entered the enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. The park confirmed the tiger, an endangered Amur male called Altai, will not be put down. The family described Chapman as a bright, warm and engaging young man who had struggled with serious mental illness and was on strong medication. They said the circulation of the video showing the animal biting and clawing him – in which he can be seen waving a finger at the tiger – has caused them severe distress and asked the public to stop sharing it. President Donald Trump reposted the original footage on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, adding the caption, “Don’t ever mess with nature! President DJT.” Later the same day he posted an AI‑generated video that showed him chasing and play‑fighting with a tiger, set to the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and imitating Chapman’s finger‑pointing gesture. The Born Free Foundation’s executive president, Will Travers, called the AI video “incredibly insensitive” and warned it could encourage risky interactions with captive wildlife. Yorkshire Wildlife Park has remained closed while Doncaster City Council launched a health‑and‑safety probe. An inquest into Chapman’s death is set to begin on Thursday at Doncaster Coroner’s Court, where investigators will examine why he entered the enclosure.

Context

The incident highlights how viral footage and AI‑generated media can amplify grief for victims’ families and raise concerns about public safety around captive big cats. The park’s decision not to euthanise Altai follows standard practice of assessing animal welfare after attacks.