Ryan Easley, 'Tiger King' Associate, Fatally Mauled by Tiger at Oklahoma Preserve During Show
Animal handler Ryan Easley, 37, a former 'Tiger King' associate, was fatally mauled by a tiger during a show at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Oklahoma.
Handler once linked to Joe Exotic mauled to death by tiger
New York Daily News
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Overview
- Ryan Easley, 37, an animal handler, was fatally mauled by a tiger during a big cat show at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma.
- Easley was a former associate of 'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic, who publicly acknowledged the brutal big cat attack and Easley's death.
- Following the tragic incident, all tours at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve have been canceled indefinitely, affecting visitor access to the facility.
- The Oklahoma wildlife preserve typically offers visitors tours to view tigers and observe demonstrations on how the animals are trained and cared for.
- The fatal mauling occurred during a scheduled big cat show, highlighting the inherent risks involved in handling large predatory animals in such environments.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this tragic incident factually, focusing on reporting the details of the tiger attack and its immediate aftermath. They present multiple perspectives, including law enforcement, the preserve's statement, and animal rights organizations, without editorializing or using loaded language. The coverage prioritizes clear, objective information and relevant context.
"A large tiger fatally attacked an animal handler as horrified onlookers watched during the end of a big cat show at a preserve in southeastern Oklahoma."
Associated Press"The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve confirmed the "tragic" passing of Ryan Easley, who died "in an accident involving a tiger" on Saturday, Sept. 20, according to a Facebook statement."
USA TODAY"This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world."
ABC NewsArticles (6)
FAQ
Ryan Easley was a 37-year-old animal handler and the operator of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve. He was formerly associated with Joe Exotic, the star of the 'Tiger King' series.
Ryan Easley was fatally mauled by a tiger during a scheduled big cat show at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma, illustrating the risks involved in handling large predatory animals during live demonstrations.
After the fatal mauling of Ryan Easley, Growler Pines Tiger Preserve has canceled all tours indefinitely, impacting visitor access and operations at the facility.
The preserve usually offered tours for visitors to see tigers up close and watch demonstrations on how the big cats are trained and cared for.
Yes, in 2017 Easley was documented violently whipping tigers during a training session, with reports stating he struck one tiger 31 times.
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