A tiger handler once linked to “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic was fatally mauled by a big cat at an Oklahoma preserve over the weekend, authorities confirmed.
Ryan Easley died Saturday, September 20, after being attacked by a tiger during what Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo described as an “accident.”
“This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world. Ryan understood those risks—not out of recklessness but out of love,” the preserve wrote in a Facebook post.
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The statement added that the animals under his care “were not just animals to him, but beings he formed a connection with—one rooted in respect, daily care, and love.”
Growler Pines, which offers guided outings and big cat demonstrations, has suspended all tours and encounters until further notice. Easley’s colleagues remembered him as a “passionate advocate for wildlife conservation.”
“His love for animals, especially big cats, was evident in every aspect of his life,” the preserve said. “Growler Pines was more than just a place of work for Ryan; it was his calling, his passion, and his life’s purpose. His courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to wildlife will never be forgotten.”
Easley had previously acquired tigers from Joe Exotic—whose real name is Joe Maldonado—for his business, “ShowMe Tigers,” according to PETA. The animal rights group claimed he “hauled them around the country” and “forced them to perform in cruel circuses.”
“It’s never safe for humans to interact directly with apex predators, and it’s never a surprise when a human is attacked by a stressed big cat who has been caged, whipped, and denied everything natural and important to them,” said Debbie Metzler, PETA Foundation Senior Director of Captive Wildlife.
PETA urged wild animal exhibitors to shut down operations and send their animals to accredited sanctuaries “where they can finally live in peace.”
The exact circumstances of Easley’s death remain unclear.
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