A terrible tragedy happened last Saturday at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma, when 37-year-old Ryan Easley was attacked by a tiger in front of a crowd.
The event took place during a show, leaving witnesses, including Easley's wife and young daughter, deeply affected.
The tiger bit him in the neck.
Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park told ABC News that Easley was performing with a tiger he had raised since it was a cub when the animal unexpectedly turned on him. “It happened toward the end of a show where people saw this happen,” Park said. “No one knows, except for God above, why the tiger attacked the trainer.”
The tiger bit Easley around the neck and shoulder, probably killing him right away. When the tiger moved away, Easley's wife ran into the enclosure and managed to move the tiger to another cage.
Emergency teams were sent out around 2 p.m., but Easley was already gone when they got there. His body was taken to the state Medical Examiner's Office in Tulsa for an autopsy.
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve shared a message on Facebook, expressing their sadness over Easley's passing.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the tragic loss of Ryan Easley, who died in an accident involving a tiger he was caring for… Ryan was a strong supporter of wildlife conservation. His passion for animals, especially Big Cats, showed in everything he did. He devoted his life to protecting and caring for these amazing creatures, and he truly believed in Growler Pines' mission to offer a safe and enriching home for the animals he looked after.”
Ran a traveling circus-style act
Easley used to run ShowMe Tigers, a circus-style show featuring tigers. The preserve noted that both it and ShowMe Tigers had passed 32 USDA inspections in a row, including one for re-licensing in January 2025.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which issued the facility's license, is investigating the situation, along with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Sheriff Park mentioned that the tiger is currently being kept in a single cage while the investigation continues.
Laura Hagen, the director of captive wildlife for Humane World for Animals, expressed her deep concerns about Easley's death, pointing out the risks of using wild animals for entertainment:
“Ryan Easley's death was a tragic incident that could have been prevented, and we hope it serves as a reminder of the dangers and cruelty associated with those who still exploit dangerous wild animals for entertainment.”
Belonged to Joe Exotic
It was confirmed that some tigers cared for by Easley used to belong to Joseph Maldonado, who is more famously known as “Joe Exotic.” He was the previous zoo operator in Oklahoma and the main character of Netflix's Tiger King. Exotic, who is now serving a 21-year prison sentence, shared his condolences on X, showing his sadness about Easley's death.
However, not everyone felt sympathy for him.
PETA criticized Easley's actions, stating he “hauled [tigers] around the country, made them perform in cruel circuses, and kept them locked in cages for hours when they weren't performing” over the years. This shows how controversial big cat performances can be.
The sudden and violent attack has shocked the community, fans, and Easley's family — a harsh reminder of the dangers of being close to top predators.
