The Tulsa chief medical examiner ruled on Dec. 11 that Oklahoma handler Ryan Easley died of blunt force, sharp force and crushing injuries consistent with a tiger mauling on Sept. 20; the death was classified as an accident. Easley was attacked while performing with a tiger at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma, and deputies found him not breathing at the scene. The preserve suspended tours and launched a GoFundMe to help his family, while PETA has publicly alleged past mistreatment involving tigers Easley acquired from figures featured in "Tiger King."
Autopsy Confirms Tiger Mauling Killed Ryan Easley — Death Ruled Accidental; Handler Linked to 'Tiger King' Figures
GoFundMeRyan Easley.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Tulsa, Oklahoma, confirmed on Dec. 11 that 36-year-old animal handler Ryan Easley died of blunt force, sharp force and crushing injuries consistent with a tiger mauling. Easley was attacked on Sept. 20 while working with a tiger at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma; the examiner ruled the manner of death an accident.
Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park told local media that Easley was performing an act with the tiger when "something went wrong" and the animal attacked. Deputies who arrived at the scene found Easley not breathing. The wildlife refuge initially announced the incident and later suspended all public tours until further notice.
Growler Pines' Response: In a statement the preserve said it was "with profound sorrow" to confirm Easley's death and described him as a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation who formed deep, daily bonds with the animals in his care. "Growler Pines was more than just a place of work for Ryan; it was his calling, his passion and his life’s purpose," the refuge said.
Support For Family: A GoFundMe fundraiser was created to assist Easley's family after the attack. The campaign organizer praised Easley's dedication to animals and his devotion to loved ones, naming Elaine and Lily as members of his family.
PETA Allegations And Connections
Animal-rights group PETA issued a statement saying Easley acquired tigers for his business, ShowMe Tigers, from controversial figures featured in the Netflix documentary Tiger King: Joe Exotic (Joseph Maldonado-Passage) and Dr. Bhagavan "Doc" Antle. PETA alleged past mistreatment, including claims that Easley transported animals to perform in circuses and a 2017 incident in which the group said Easley struck a tiger during a training session.
"For years [Easley] had hauled them around the country, forced them to perform in cruel circuses, including Shrine and Carden Circuses, and kept them trapped in cages for hours when they weren’t performing," PETA alleged.
PETA's claims are allegations and have been widely reported in the wake of Easley's death; they have not been established as criminal findings connected to this incident. Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently serving a 21-year federal prison sentence.
This tragedy has renewed public attention on the risks of close human contact with large predators and ongoing debates about the welfare and regulation of captive big cats. Authorities and animal-welfare organizations continue to discuss best practices for handling and housing these animals.
