“In a split-second everything was OK, and then the tiger grabbed him and started biting him around the neck area and shoulder area”
Ryan Easley (37) died at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve on Saturday after one of the big cats suddenly started to bite him while the two were inside a large cage.
Easley who was linked to ‘Tiger King’ Joe Exotic died just minutes after dispatchers received an emergency call, Choctaw county sheriff, Terry Park, said.
Park told The New York Times: “In a split-second everything was OK, and then the tiger grabbed him and started biting him around the neck area and shoulder area.”
Ryan Easley with some of the big cats
News in 90 Seconds – September 23rd
When Mr. Easley fell to the ground after the attack, the tiger backed away and Mr. Easley’s wife went into the cage and moved the tiger to another cage, Sheriff Park said.
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo said in a statement that the tragedy “is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world”.
“Ryan understood those risks — not out of recklessness but out of love. The animals under his care were not just animals to him, but beings he formed a connection with — one rooted in respect, daily care and love.”
The preserve praised him as a “passionate advocate for wildlife conservation,” who especially loved big cats and dedicated his life to the care of animals.
“His courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to wildlife will never be forgotten,” the statement said.
The preserve, which offers guided tours and training demonstrations, has suspended all visits until further notice.
In a statement, the animal protection group PETA said that “it’s never safe for humans to interact directly with apex predators.”
The organisation called for wild animal exhibitors to “get out of the business now and send the animals to accredited sanctuaries where they can finally live in peace.”
PETA said Easley had acquired tigers from “associate” Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado, and Bhagavan ‘Doc’ Antle, also a star of the Netflix series.
Joe Exotic who is serving a 21-year prison sentence after being convicted of plotting the murder of animal rights activist Carole Baskin — wrote in a lengthy tribute to Easley: “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. Driving down the road, going to school or church or speaking at a University.”
He wrote that Easley had “built a large compound on the back side of my zoo to house his tigers” about 15 years ago.
“So with all my respect as a human RIP Ryan Easley,” the statement adds. “You died doing what you loved.”