Wife and daughter witnessed fatal tiger attack on handler at Joe Exotic-linked Oklahoma preserve
A former colleague of 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic was fatally mauled by a big cat while performing in front of a live audience that included his wife and daughter, it was revealed on Tuesday.
Ryan Easley, 37, was in a cage with the tiger when it attacked him at his animal preserve in southeastern Oklahoma.
Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park told ABC the handler was unexpectedly bit around the neck and shoulder, killing him almost instantly.
Easley was owner of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve. His wife Elaine and daughter Lily were among the audience who witnessed the kill.
Sheriff Park told The Associated Press that Easley had the 'big tiger' for 'quite some time.' The attack happened toward the end of the show, his wife rushed into the cage and removed the animal.
The tragedy was reported around 2pm on Saturday, and he was pronounced dead on the scene.
Sheriff Park added they are waiting for autopsy results from the state medical examiner's office in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ryan Easley, a handler at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo Oklahoma was killed by a tiger while it was under his care on Saturday September 20
Tiger handler Ryan Easley with his daughter Lily and wife Elaine, a GoFundMe page was created to help Easley's family during this tragic time
Easley was unexpectedly bit around the neck and shoulder, killing him almost instantly, according to Sheriff Terry Park
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensed the animal preserve and is conducting an investigation, according to ABC.
Joseph Maldonado, known as Joe Exotic from the mega-hit Netflix series 'Tiger King', acknowledged the caretaker's death in a since-removed social media post, according to The Oklahoman.
'Prayers go out to his family,' Maldonado wrote. 'Ryan took great care of his animals! He loved every one of those tigers and was an advocate for tigers as well as elephants.'
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the animal rights group more commonly known as PETA, wrote in a statement that Easley 'acquired tigers from Joe Exotic and fellow Tiger King villain Bhagavan “Doc” Antle for his business, ShowMe Tigers.'
They bashed Easley, writing that he 'hauled [the tigers] around the country and forced them to perform in cruel circuses.
'[He] kept them trapped in cages for hours when they weren’t performing.'
The animal rights group also wrote that Easley was allegedly caught 'violently whipping tigers during a training session' and that he 'boarded his tigers in cramped cages' at Joe Exotic's roadside zoo.
Peta called for 'the remaining roadside zoo exhibitors' to 'get out of the business now and send the animals to accredited sanctuaries where they can finally live in peace.'
Joseph Maldonado, known as Joe Exotic from the mega-hit Netflix series 'Tiger King', acknowledged the caretaker's death in a since-removed social media post
Joe Exotic said: '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 Growler Pines Tiger Preserve remembered Easley as a passionate wildlife advocate who had a deep love for animals
The preserves Facebook page wrote that Easley's dedication and sacrifice were unmatched, and that his love for his family 'shone above all else'
Maldonado, who is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence, clapped back to PETA's statement on Facebook, writing they 'always lie and drag him into everything.'
'Ryan built a huge compound to keep his tigers in on the backside of my zoo. PETA doesn't know crap,' according to The Oklahoman.
Maldonado was convicted on 19 federal counts including wildlife crimes and the heavily publicized murder-for-hire case against his zoo rival, Carole Baskin.
The preserve remembered Easley as a passionate wildlife advocate who had a deep love for animals.
A GoFundMe page was created to help Easley's family during this tragic time, with over $15,000 raised out of a $20,000 goal.
The page wrote that Easley's dedication and sacrifice were unmatched, and that his love for his family 'shone above all else.'
