An Oklahoma animal handler with past ties to Tiger King star Joe Exotic has died after being mauled by a tiger at his wildlife preserve.
The Incident
Ryan Easley, an experienced trainer and operator of the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma, was fatally attacked on Saturday, September 20.
According to a statement shared by the preserve, Easley “lost his life in an accident involving a tiger under his care.” Local authorities reported that he was not breathing when deputies arrived on the scene.
Easley was reportedly performing an act with the tiger when “something went wrong,” resulting in the fatal encounter.
Following his death, the preserve canceled all upcoming tours and announced that ticket holders would receive refunds.
Remembering Easley
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve described Easley as a “passionate advocate for wildlife conservation” whose life was dedicated to caring for big cats. “Growler Pines was more than just a place of work for Ryan—it was his calling, his passion, and his life’s purpose,” the facility said in a statement.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Easley’s family. The fundraiser notes his devotion to his wife Elaine and their daughter Lily, saying, “His impact cannot be overstated. His love for his family shone above all else.”
Connection to Joe Exotic
Easley’s career in animal handling included ties to controversial figures from Netflix’s Tiger King documentary. Reports indicate that he acquired tigers from both Joseph Maldonado-Passage—better known as Joe Exotic—and Doc Antle for his company, ShowMe Tigers.
Joe Exotic, who is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for a murder-for-hire plot, expressed condolences in a since-deleted social media post. “Prayers go out to his family,” he wrote, calling Easley an advocate for tigers and elephants.
PETA Responds
Animal rights group PETA responded to Easley’s death by condemning his history of working with big cats in circuses and traveling shows. The organization accused him of mistreating animals, alleging he once whipped tigers repeatedly during a training session and kept them in cramped cages.
Debbie Metzler, senior director of captive wildlife at PETA, said in a statement, “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.”
Joe Exotic, however, pushed back on PETA’s claims and distanced himself from the incident, stating he had not worked with Easley in nearly two decades.
Aftermath
The tragedy has renewed debates about the risks of close human interaction with big cats, an issue that drew global attention during the release of Netflix’s Tiger King series.
For now, Growler Pines Tiger Preserve is closed to the public as Easley’s family and community grieve the sudden loss of a man they describe as courageous, compassionate, and deeply committed to wildlife.
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