Wife and daughter witness fatal tiger attack on handler at Joe Exotic-linked Oklahoma preserve

A tiger handler at a Joe Exotic-linked facility in Oklahoma was fatally mauled during a live performance Saturday, according to local authorities and social-media posts from the facility. Ryan Easley, 37, was working as the owner and lead handler at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo when the animal attacked him in front of a crowd that included his wife and daughter. The tragedy unfolded around 2 p.m. local time, with witnesses describing a sudden, violent incident that left Easley mortally wounded in an outdoor performance cage.

Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park said Easley was “bit around the neck and shoulder,” and the injuries proved fatal at the scene. Park said Easley had the “big tiger” for “quite some time,” and that his wife, Elaine, and daughter, Lily, were among those in attendance when the attack occurred and that Elaine rushed into the cage to remove the animal. The incident prompted emergency responders to respond to the scene and end the show early.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which licenses animal facilities, said it is conducting an investigation into Growler Pines Tiger Preserve as part of standard regulatory oversight. Authorities have not released a formal cause of death pending an autopsy by the state medical examiner’s office in Tulsa. The investigation comes as regulators, animal-welfare advocates, and industry observers scrutinize roadside wildlife exhibits that stage performances involving big cats.

Joseph Maldonado, the man widely known as Joe Exotic from the Netflix series Tiger King, acknowledged Easley’s death in a post that The Oklahoman reported was later removed from social media. Maldonado wrote, “Prayers go out to his family. Ryan took great care of his animals! He loved every one of those tigers and was an advocate for tigers as well as elephants.” The remark underscored the ongoing public debate about the role of private preserves that display and train big cats for audiences.

Animal-rights groups weighed in quickly after the tragedy. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement asserting that Easley “acquired tigers from Joe Exotic and fellow Tiger King villain Bhagavan ‘Doc’ Antle for his business” and that the animals were subjected to touring performances in circuses and confined in cramped cages when not performing. PETA criticized roadside zoos more broadly and urged exhibitors to relocate the remaining tigers to accredited sanctuaries where they can live without being used for shows. In response, Maldonado clashed with PETA on social media, arguing that the group’s criticisms were inaccurate and alleging they repeatedly misrepresented the situation.

The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve maintained its public postings in the aftermath, praising Easley as a devoted wildlife advocate who “loved every one of his animals.” The preserve’s Facebook page also highlighted Easley’s family, saying his dedication and sacrifice were unmatched and that his love for his family “shone above all else.” A GoFundMe page created to assist Easley’s family has raised more than $15,000 toward a $20,000 goal, according to the page’s updates.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of facilities linked to the original Tiger King-era network, including those associated with Maldonado and other high-profile figures from the show. Maldonado, who is serving a 21-year federal sentence on wildlife-crimes charges and related counts, publicly defended his past operations in other contexts and has faced ongoing legal battles that have kept his name in the public eye. PETA has called on other roadside exhibitors to close down operations and to transfer remaining big cats to sanctuaries, a call echoed by some advocacy groups amid ongoing debates about animal welfare and public safety at private facilities.

As investigators pursue autopsy results and review regulatory compliance, officials emphasized that the investigation remains active. Authorities did not specify timelines for completion or whether any penalties would arise from the incident. In the interim, the tragedy has left Easley’s family, coworkers, and the local wildlife-community grappling with questions about safety, oversight, and the balance between animal entertainment and humane treatment of large predators.