A horrific tragedy unfolded this past Saturday at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma, when 37-year-old Ryan Easley, was fatally attacked by a tiger in front of an audience.
The incident occurred during a performance, leaving witnesses, including Easley’s wife and young daughter, traumatized.
Bit him in the neck
Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park told ABC News that Easley had been performing with a tiger he had raised since it was a cub when the animal suddenly turned on him. “It happened toward the end of a show in which there were people that saw this incident occur,” Park said. “No one knows, other than God above, as to what made the tiger attack the handler/trainer.”
The tiger bit Easley around the neck and shoulder, likely killing him instantly. When the animal stepped away, Easley’s wife rushed into the enclosure and moved the tiger to another cage.
Emergency crews were dispatched around 2 p.m., but Easley was already dead when they arrived. His body was transported to the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Tulsa for an autopsy.
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve released a statement on Facebook, mourning Easley’s death.
“It is with profound sorrow that we confirm the tragic loss of Ryan Easley, who lost his life in an accident involving a tiger under his care… Ryan was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. His love for animals, especially Big Cats, was evident in every aspect of his life. He dedicated his life to the protection and care of these magnificent animals, and he believed deeply in the mission of Growler Pines to provide a safe and forever enriching home for the animals under his care.”
Ran a traveling circus-style act
Easley previously ran ShowMe Tigers, a traveling circus-style act featuring tigers. The preserve said both it and ShowMe Tigers had passed 32 consecutive USDA inspections without issue, including a January 2025 re-license inspection.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which licensed the facility, is investigating the incident, along with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Sheriff Park said the tiger has been confined to a single cage pending the outcome of the probe.
Laura Hagen, director of captive wildlife for Humane World for Animals, expressed deep concern over Easley’s death, emphasizing the risks of using wild animals for entertainment:
“Ryan Easley’s death was a sad and preventable tragedy, and we hope it serves as a reminder of the danger and cruelty of other operators who still use dangerous wild animals for entertainment.”
Belonged to Joe Exotic
It was also confirmed that some of the tigers in Easley’s care had once belonged to Joseph Maldonado, better known as “Joe Exotic,” the former Oklahoma zoo operator and star of Netflix’s Tiger King. Exotic, now serving a 21-year prison sentence, posted condolences on X, mourning Easley’s death.
However, not everyone expressed sympathy.
PETA criticized Easley’s work, stating he “hauled [tigers] around the country, forced them to perform in cruel circuses, and kept them trapped in cages for hours when they weren’t performing” over the years, highlighting the controversial nature of big cat performances.
The sudden and brutal attack has left the community, fans, and Easley’s family in shock — a grim reminder of the dangers of close contact with apex predators.
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