A shocking tragedy struck on Saturday at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma, when 37-year-old Ryan Easley was fatally mauled by a tiger during a live performance in front of horrified spectators.
Among those watching the incident were Easley’s wife and young daughter, who were left traumatized by the attack.
Sudden Attack
According to Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park, Easley was working with a tiger he had hand-raised from a cub when, without warning, the animal turned violent. “It happened toward the end of a show in front of an audience,” Park told ABC News. “Only God knows what caused the tiger to suddenly attack its trainer.”
The tiger clamped down on Easley’s neck and shoulder, killing him almost instantly. When the animal stepped back, Easley’s wife rushed to move it into a separate enclosure.
Emergency crews were called at around 2 p.m., but Easley was pronounced dead at the scene. His remains were taken to Tulsa for an autopsy.
Preserve Issues Statement
In a Facebook post, Growler Pines Tiger Preserve confirmed Easley’s death, calling it a devastating loss.
“Ryan dedicated his life to the care and protection of big cats. He was deeply committed to conservation and to giving these animals a safe and enriching environment. His love for wildlife was clear to everyone who knew him.”
Background and Investigation
Easley had previously run ShowMe Tigers, a traveling act featuring trained big cats. Both the preserve and ShowMe Tigers had passed more than 30 consecutive USDA inspections, including a recent re-licensing review in January 2025.
The USDA and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are now investigating. Sheriff Park confirmed the tiger involved has been confined while the inquiry continues.
Animal welfare advocates weighed in, with Laura Hagen of Humane World for Animals calling the death both “tragic and preventable,” warning of the dangers of using wild animals for shows.
Tiger King Connection
Several of Easley’s tigers were once owned by Joseph Maldonado-Passage — better known as “Joe Exotic,” star of Netflix’s Tiger King. Exotic, currently serving a 21-year prison sentence, expressed condolences on social media.
But others were less sympathetic. PETA criticized Easley’s work, accusing him of exploiting tigers by forcing them to travel and perform under stressful, unnatural conditions.
The brutal attack has left Easley’s family, colleagues, and fans in shock — a stark reminder of the lethal risks that come with handling apex predators.
