() A close bond turned fatal at an Oklahoma tiger preserve Saturday, when a handler was fatally mauled by the very animal he had raised from a cub.
Ryan Easley, age 37, operated the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve located near Hugo, Oklahoma. He dedicated many years to taking care of the tiger that eventually led to his tragic demise.
Forrest Galante, a wildlife biologist and television host, mentioned on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” that the tiger did not intend to kill Easley, describing the attack as an unfortunate “mistake.”
Tiger was a ‘cat being a cat’: Wildlife biologist
Galante compared the fatal accident to instances when people play with their house cats and unintentionally provoke them, causing minor scratches.
Galante pointed out a significant aspect: when a tiger retaliates, it can result in fatal consequences, much like the “poorly placed bite” that claimed Easley’s life.
Galante emphasized that the tiger “didn’t want to kill” Easley, and that the mauling underscores the “unpredictability that large cats exhibit.”
Galante, who also handles large animals, asserts that “it’s never the animal’s fault.” He emphasizes that those working closely with dangerous wildlife are aware of and accept the substantial risks involved.
Easley’s father echoed Galante’s sentiment to reporters, calling the attack a “love bite.”
In a statement released by Growler Pines Tiger Preserve after Easley’s passing, it stated: “This tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of both the splendor and unpredictability of nature. Ryan was aware of these risks, not out of carelessness, but driven by love.”
Following Easley’s death, all tours and animal encounters at the preserve have been suspended. The decision regarding the fate of the tiger remains undecided as of now.
PETA reacts
Following the mauling, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals put out a statement condemning Easley’s practices, claiming that in the past he “forced” his tigers to “perform in cruel circuses” around the country and “kept them trapped in cages for hours when they weren’t performing.”
The statement mentions a particular incident in 2017, in which Easley was reported to have violently whipped tigers during a training session, with one tiger allegedly struck 31 times.
PETA senior director Debbie Metzler added to the statement, calling out Easley’s practices and saying, “it’s never a surprise when a human is attacked by a stressed big cat who has been caged, whipped, and denied everything natural and important to them.”
Metzler added that wild animal exhibitors should leave the business and send the big cats to accredited sanctuaries.
Tiger was reportedly acquired from the ‘Tiger King’
According to PETA, Easley acquired the Tigers from Joseph Maldonado, or “Joe Exotic,” and Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, who were both featured in the Netflix true-crime docuseries “Tiger King.”
Maldonado commented on the incident in a social media post, stating: “No one can blame the tiger for what happened. We all take risk in what we do and we don’t need further laws to ban tigers because of this because you can get killed doing just about anything.”
PETA describes Easley as being an “associate” of the incarcerated Maldonado, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being convicted of two counts of murder-for-hire and 17 animal abuse charges.
‘s Steph Whiteside contributed to this report.
