Camilla Jessen
‘Tiger King’ associate dies after being mauled by tiger during live performance.
Ryan Easley, a well-known big cat trainer and former associate of Joe Exotic, was fatally mauled during a performance.
According to ABC, the attack has reignited the debate over using wild animals in entertainment.
Tragedy Strikes at Growler Pines
A 37-year-old man was killed on Saturday during a live show at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma. Ryan Easley, a veteran tiger handler, was performing with a tiger he had raised since it was a cub when the animal suddenly attacked him.
The incident happened in front of an audience that included Easley’s wife and young daughter.
According to Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park, the tiger bit him in the neck and shoulder, likely killing him instantly.
Emergency crews arrived shortly after 2 p.m., but Easley was already dead.
Witnesses in Shock as Wife Intervenes
As the tiger backed away from Easley’s body, his wife entered the enclosure and moved the animal into a separate cage. The horrifying scene left spectators visibly shaken, and many were still trying to process what they had seen when authorities arrived.
Easley’s body was taken to the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Tulsa for an autopsy. The tiger has since been confined to a single cage, pending investigation.
A Familiar Name in the Big Cat World
Ryan Easley was no stranger to the spotlight. He previously ran ShowMe Tigers, a traveling act known for circus-style performances involving big cats.
According to the preserve, Easley and the facility had passed 32 consecutive USDA inspections, including one as recently as January 2025.
Ties to Joe Exotic Confirmed
Some of the tigers Easley cared for had once belonged to Joseph Maldonado, better known as Joe Exotic, the star of Tiger King who is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence.
Exotic posted condolences on X after the incident, saying he was heartbroken by the loss.
The connection to the controversial figure has brought extra attention to Easley’s death, especially from critics of exotic animal handling.
Investigations Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are now investigating the deadly incident.
Law enforcement officials are also reviewing any possible safety lapses at the preserve.
No charges have been filed at this time.
Authorities confirmed that the racecar-like Formula 2 tiger enclosure lacked basic safety features required for public performances.
Animal Rights Groups Speak Out
In the aftermath, animal welfare groups have voiced strong criticism. Laura Hagen, director of captive wildlife for Humane World for Animals, called the death “sad and preventable.”
PETA issued a harsher response, accusing Easley of exploiting animals for entertainment.
“He hauled [tigers] around the country, forced them to perform, and kept them trapped in cages when they weren’t on stage,” the organization said.
The Risk of Exotic Animal Performances
This tragedy has once again raised questions about the safety of using wild animals in live shows.
Tigers, even when raised from cubs, remain unpredictable and dangerous. Advocates are calling for stricter laws or outright bans on such performances.
The Preserve Mourns a Passionate Handler
In a Facebook statement, Growler Pines Tiger Preserve called Easley a “passionate advocate for wildlife conservation” who dedicated his life to caring for big cats.
“His love for animals, especially Big Cats, was evident in every aspect of his life,” the statement read.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
