Growler Pines Tiger Preserve handler dies in Oklahoma tiger mauling

Ryan Easley, a tiger handler and owner of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in southeastern Oklahoma, was fatally mauled by a tiger under his care on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, the preserve said in a Facebook statement. The facility, near Hugo, canceled all tours and encounters until further notice and described Easley as a devoted wildlife advocate whose death was a tragic accident involving one of the animals he tended.

The preserve said Easley understood the risks inherent in working with large predators and cared for the cats with daily attention and respect. It did not provide further details about how the incident unfolded. A local broadcaster, citing the Choctaw County sheriff, reported that Easley was not breathing when deputies arrived, though the sheriff's office has declined to provide additional comment to some outlets as the investigation continues.

Easley ran ShowMe Tigers, a traveling big-cat attraction that later established a permanent home as Growler Pines, the preserve said on its website. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and daughter, Lily. A fundraising page created to support his family had raised more than $15,000 soon after the incident, with later reports...