Tejal Somvanshi
A tiger handler lost his life during a routine demonstration at an Oklahoma tiger preserve last weekend, highlighting the risks faced by those who work closely with big cats.
Ryan Easley died Saturday, September 20, 2025, after an incident involving a tiger at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve near Hugo, Oklahoma. According to Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park, Easley was doing an act with the tiger when something went wrong, resulting in him being attacked. Deputies arrived to find him not breathing.
The preserve confirmed the loss in a Facebook statement, describing Easley as “a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation” who had “dedicated his life to the protection and care of these magnificent animals.”
Easley became an apprentice circus tiger trainer at the age of 21, before founding ShowMe Tigers in 2015, a company focused on the “proper care” and training of “performing tigers.” In 2011, his mentor retired and left him with five tigers, which formed the foundation of his business.
In 2021, he and his wife opened Growler Pines as a permanent facility, incorporating ShowMe Tigers into what they envisioned as an educational preserve for retired circus animals. The private facility offered guided tours with hands-on demonstrations on the training and care of the animals.
KOCO 5 found the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection for Easley’s preserve, showing it was compliant with no issues.
In 2017, the Humane Society of the United States (now Humane World for Animals) conducted an undercover investigation of ShowMe Tigers, claiming tigers were trained and handled through the use of whips and sticks.
Easley defended his practices, pointing to his record with federal inspectors, noting that ShowMe Tigers underwent 32 unannounced inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and passed them all without issues.
Following Easley’s death, PETA issued a statement: “It’s never safe for humans to interact directly with apex predators, and 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.”
PETA claimed Easley had gotten his tigers from Joseph Maldonado, popularly known as Joe Exotic, and Bhagavan ‘Doc’ Antle, both of whom appeared in the Netflix series “Tiger King.”
Joe Exotic expressed his condolences on social media after Easley’s death, the Oklahoman reported: “Prayers go out to his family. Ryan took great care of his animals! He loved everyone of those tigers and was an advocate for tigers as well as elephants.” The posts were later removed from Instagram and Facebook.
Between 1998 and 2001, seven fatal tiger attacks occurred in the United States and at least 20 more attacks required emergency medical care. This statistic highlights the inherent risks of working with these powerful predators.
Less than 400 of the estimated 5,000 to 7,000 captive tigers in the U.S. are held at facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The U.S. passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act in December 2022, requiring federal permits for facilities housing big cats and banning private ownership and public contact with these animals.
Following the incident, Growler Pines suspended all tours and encounters “until further notice.” In their statement, they acknowledged the fundamental risk of working with wild animals, describing the tragedy as “a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world.”
A GoFundMe launched for Easley’s family had raised over $18,000 following the incident.
This marks the latest in a series of incidents involving captive big cats in the United States, where regulations governing their ownership and handling have evolved significantly in recent years.
