Stephanie Heath
Animal handler Ryan Easley was killed in an intense tiger attack on Saturday, September 20. The handler who used to work with Tiger King’s Joe Exotic lost his life after he suffered a tiger attack. The attack occurred at the wildlife refuge, Growler Pines Tiger Preserve.
Videos by Rare
The Details: Easley was no stranger to working with big cats. As an employee of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve, he often worked alongside the tigers. However, on September 20, during a performance, the tiger he was working with attacked him.
- Growler Pines Tiger Preserve shared a post about the incident on their Facebook page.
- They shared, “It is with profound sorrow that we confirm the tragic loss of Ryan Easley, who lost his life in an accident involving a tiger under his care at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve on September 20th, 2025.”
Furthermore, the post shared by Growler Pines Tiger Preserved shared that Easley was passionate about his work and wildlife conservation. They wrote the following:
- “His love for animals, especially Big Cats, was evident in every aspect of his life. He dedicated his life to the protection and care of these magnificent animals, and he believed deeply in the mission of Growler Pines- to provide a safe and forever enriching home for the animals under his care.”
They have since canceled all tours until further notice.
PETA Speaks Out Against Animal Handler Who Was Killed In Tiger Attack
Despite the wildlife preserve speaking highly of Easley, PETA had conflicting viewpoints about the animal handler. They shared that he often acquired tigers from Joe Exotic. As well as ” fellow Tiger King villain Bhagavan ‘Doc’ Antle for his business, ShowMe Tigers.“ Additionally, they made the following claims about him.
- “For years, he had hauled them around the country, forced them to perform in cruel circuses—including Shrine and Carden Circuses—and kept them trapped in cages for hours when they weren’t performing.”
- ” In 2017, Easley was caught violently whipping tigers during a training session, one of whom was reportedly struck 31 times. “
Words To Remember: Finally, PETA ended its post with a powerful statement. These words are from PETA Foundation Senior Director of Captive Wildlife Debbie Metzler:
- “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 is calling for the remaining wild animal exhibitors who aren’t dead or in federal prison to get out of the business now and send the animals to accredited sanctuaries where they can finally live in peace.”
