Tiger handler fatally mauled reportedly linked to 'Tiger King's' Joe Exotic
FILE - A tiger lies in an enclosure. (Photo by Bernd Weißbrod/picture alliance via Getty Images)
A man who was reportedly a former associate of Joe Exotic, one of the many memorable subjects of Netflix’s "Tiger King," was fatally mauled by a tiger during a show in Oklahoma over the weekend.
Ryan Easley, 37, was attacked by one of the tigers at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve near Hugo as horrified patrons watched.
His daughter and wife were also present during the tragedy.
What they're saying:
"This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world," the preserve said in a statement on its Facebook page. "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."
What's next:
All tours have been canceled until further notice, the statement said.
PETA’s claims
The other side:
PETA released a statement following Easley’s death, and claimed he was a former associate of Joe Exotic and had actually acquired his animals through Exotic and fellow "Tiger King" alum Bhagavan "Doc" Antle.
PETA also accused Easley of cruelty toward the animals and urged "the remaining wild animal exhibitors who aren’t dead or in federal prison to get out of the business now."
Joe Exotic releases statement
On Monday, Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, released a statement about Easley’s death.
"No matter if you agree with the way another operates his business, a loss is always something no one wants to see happen. So with all my respect as a human R.I.P. Ryan Easley. You died doing what you loved," the statement said in part.
Maldonado-Passage is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press, a statement from PETA and a statement from Joe Exotic on X. This story was reported from San Jose.
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