A tiger killed an animal handler with past ties to “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic at an Oklahoma wildlife preserve on Saturday. The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve confirmed that Ryan Easley died in an accident involving one of the big cats at the property.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world,” the preserve said on Facebook. “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.”
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The preserve is a private facility where visitors can book tours to view tigers and see demonstrations on how handlers care for them. It has since canceled all tours until further notice.
PETA responds
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement following Easley’s death. The organization stressed “it’s never safe for humans to interact directly with apex predators.”
The group renewed its calls for “wild animal exhibitors” to stop showing their animals and send them to sanctuaries instead.
It also accused Easley of hauling tigers around the country, forcing them to perform in circuses.
“When Joe Exotic was operating his Oklahoma roadside zoo, G.W. Exotic Animal Park, Easley boarded his tigers in cramped cages at the roadside zoo during the winter,” PETA said in its statement.
Connection to Joe Exotic
According to The Oklahoman, Joseph Maldonado, better known as Joe Exotic, initially offered condolences in a post, saying Easley “took great care of his animals! He loved every one of those tigers and was an advocate for tigers as well as elephants.” The post was later deleted.
In follow-up posts, Maldonado distanced himself from the incident. He shared a link to PETA’s statement, writing, “Always got to lie and drag me into everything. Ryan built a huge compound to keep his tigers in on the back side of my zoo. PeTa doesn’t know crap.”
He also posted CNN’s article about Easley’s death, saying, “I had nothing to do with this dude other than 18 years ago I let him keep his tigers at my zoo for one winter. Sick of being exploited for headlines.”
