Reports from Hugo, Oklahoma, indicate that a tragic incident has occurred at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve, resulting in the death of the facility’s owner and animal handler, 37-year-old Ryan Easley.
On Saturday afternoon, during a public performance, a tiger attacked and killed Mr. Easley. According to Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park, the attack happened near the end of the show, with audience members witnessing the event. The tiger, which Mr. Easley had raised since it was a cub, apparently bit him around the neck and shoulder area.
Sheriff Park reports that Mr. Easley’s wife and young daughter were present during the incident. In a display of remarkable courage, Mrs. Easley entered the cage after the attack to remove the tiger to another enclosure. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 2 p.m., but Mr. Easley was pronounced dead upon their arrival.
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve has been a fixture in the Hugo community for several years, with Sheriff Park noting its popularity among locals. Before establishing the preserve, Mr. Easley operated ShowMe Tigers, a traveling circus act featuring big cats.
This development follows earlier reports that Mr. Easley acquired young tigers from Joseph Maldonado, also known as “Joe Exotic,” a figure known to many from the Netflix documentary series “Tiger King.” Mr. Maldonado is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for various wildlife-related offenses.
This raises important questions about the safety and ethics of keeping large predators in captivity for entertainment purposes. Laura Hagen, director of captive wildlife for Humane World for Animals, described the incident as “a sad and preventable tragedy,” calling for a reconsideration of using dangerous wild animals in entertainment.
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Supporters of facilities like Growler Pines argue for their role in conservation and education, while critics emphasize the inherent risks and welfare concerns for the animals involved.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which licenses and inspects such facilities, has not yet commented on the incident. Their findings may provide crucial insights into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.
