Ryan Easley, 37, was killed Saturday at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve near Hugo, about 120 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. Deputies arrived minutes after an emergency call to find Easley had died inside a large cage, according to Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park.
Park said the tiger suddenly began biting and shaking Easley while they were inside the enclosure. “It was a big tiger,” Park said, adding that Easley had cared for the animal for years. Easley’s wife and young daughter were present during the attack, the sheriff said.
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve confirmed Easley’s death in a statement on its Facebook page.
A GoFundMe described the Easleys’ dedication to the preserve and its animals. “Ryan’s impact cannot be overstated. His dedication, his sacrifice, and his love for his work were unmatched,” it stated. “Anyone who met him could feel his passion—not only for the animals and his work—but even more so for his family.”
The preserve said the “tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world,” adding: “Ryan understood those risks- not out of recklessness but out of love. 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.”
According to its website, Growler Pines offered tours that allowed visitors to view tigers and observe demonstrations of training and care.
Easley had a long history in the exotic animal industry and previously operated ShowMe Tigers, which provided animals for traveling circuses and shows. Records show that he obtained tigers from Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as “Tiger King” Joe Exotic, and Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, both of whom were featured in the Netflix series.
A 2012 veterinary certificate confirms Easley acquired two young tigers from Exotic’s former G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood. Exotic, serving a 21-year prison sentence for a murder-for-hire plot and wildlife crimes, offered condolences in a letter that was posted on social media.
Animal rights groups said the death highlights the risks associated with using wild animals in performances.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
