Ryan Easley Tiger Video and Tragedy at Growler Pines

On a quiet Saturday in Hugo, Oklahoma, what began as a family-run wildlife demonstration ended in tragedy. Ryan Easley, a 37-year-old tiger handler and zoo owner, was fatally mauled by one of the tigers he had raised from cubhood. The incident, which unfolded at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve, has not only devastated Easley’s family and community but also reignited national conversations about the risks and ethics of keeping exotic animals in captivity.

The sudden death of Easley a man whose life was defined by his love for big cats serves as a painful reminder of the unpredictable nature of wild animals, no matter how well-trained or familiar they may seem.

Contents

The Incident at Growler Pines and Video

According to Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park, the tragedy struck toward the end of a public show at Growler Pines. Easley was inside an enclosure performing with a tiger he had raised since it was a cub when, without warning, the animal turned on him.

Video of the tragedy when Ryan Easley was suddenly attacked by a tiger

ryan-easley-tiger-video.mp4

“In a split second everything was OK, and then the tiger grabbed him and started biting him around the neck and shoulder area,” Sheriff Park explained. Witnesses watched in horror as the attack unfolded. Easley fell to the ground, gravely injured. His wife, Elaine, acted swiftly and courageously by entering the cage and redirecting the tiger into another enclosure, preventing further harm to others present including the couple’s daughter, who was among the spectators.

Emergency medical responders rushed to the scene, but Easley was pronounced dead where he lay. Authorities did not confirm how many visitors had been in attendance, though the presence of children underscored the terrifying spectacle.

A Life Devoted to Animals

For those who knew Ryan Easley, his tragic death feels deeply intertwined with his life’s passion. His father, Mark Easley a retired elephant handler recalled how Ryan’s fascination with animals started when he was just five years old, building zoos out of Legos.

“From what I understand about the cat, it was one of his best,” the elder Easley said. He believed the tiger did not act out of malice but instinct, calling the incident “almost an act of God some unforeseen thing.”

Ryan’s path was shaped by the circus world. He and Elaine met while working with circuses across the Midwest, and together they built a life around their shared love for exotic animals. Their dream culminated in the opening of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in 2021, where they introduced the public to what they called “retired circus tigers.”

Before Growler Pines, Easley had run a traveling show called ShowMe Tigers, where he performed with five tigers inherited from a mentor. His philosophy was rooted in training and careful handling, which he often demonstrated in educational sessions and videos. In one YouTube clip, Easley can be seen brushing a tiger’s fur, examining its teeth, and even creating paw-print souvenirs for visitors. “We rely solely on training to be able to work with them safely,” he explained in the video.

The Vision Behind Growler Pines

Located in Hugo, Oklahoma known as “Circus City, USA” for its long history as a circus hub Growler Pines embodied Easley’s lifelong dream. The preserve offered guided tours for school groups, families, and animal lovers. Visitors were given the rare opportunity to see tigers up close, learn about their behavior, and witness demonstrations of animal care.

In its statement following the tragedy, Growler Pines mourned the loss of its founder:

“This 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 facility confirmed that all tours and events had been postponed indefinitely.

Links to Joe Exotic and the “Tiger King” Legacy

Adding another layer of public interest is Ryan Easley’s connection to Joseph Maldonado-Passage better known as Joe Exotic, the infamous former zookeeper and star of Netflix’s hit documentary series Tiger King.

Sheriff Park confirmed that Easley had acquired some of his tigers from Joe Exotic, though not the one involved in the fatal mauling. Easley had also boarded his own tigers at Exotic’s Wynnewood zoo during the winter seasons.

Joe Exotic, currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for a failed murder-for-hire plot against animal rights activist Carole Baskin, weighed in on Easley’s death in a Facebook statement. He expressed sorrow over the loss, stressing that no blame should be placed on the tiger.

“No one can blame the tiger for what happened,” he wrote. “We all take risks 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.”

Reactions from Family and Community

In Hugo, a town with deep circus roots, the Easley family’s work was well-known and respected. Sheriff Park noted Elaine’s remarkable bravery in securing the tiger immediately after the attack, likely preventing further casualties.

Ryan’s father, Mark, while grieving, spoke of his son’s devotion and lifelong calling. “He was a loving family man,” he said, remembering Ryan’s early fascination with animals and his relentless pursuit of working with them.

The Easleys’ loss has reverberated throughout the community, especially among those who had visited Growler Pines and witnessed Ryan’s passion firsthand.

The Debate Over Captive Tigers

Not everyone, however, sees the tragedy purely as an accident. Animal rights organizations have used Easley’s death to highlight the dangers and ethical concerns surrounding the captivity of big cats.

The Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States, cited a 2017 undercover investigation at Easley’s ShowMe Tigers performances. They accused him of “violent training,” including the repeated use of a whip on a tiger that refused to move.

“Ryan Easley’s death was a sad and preventable tragedy,” said Laura Hagen, director of captive wildlife for the group. “We only hope that it serves as a reminder for operators of cruel wild animal ‘entertainment’ acts on the road or at roadside zoos across the U.S.”

PETA also weighed in, pointing out that Easley’s past association with Joe Exotic reflected the wider problems of private tiger ownership and exploitation for entertainment.

Easley himself defended his practices in a 2017 interview, insisting that the whip was used only to create a cracking sound as an auditory cue, not to inflict pain. “The cats think, ‘When I hear this sound, that means we’re going to do this,’” he explained.

A Broader Reflection on Risk and Responsibility

The tragic mauling of Ryan Easley underscores a central dilemma in human-animal relationships. Even under the care of skilled handlers, wild animals retain instincts and physical power that cannot be fully controlled. Tigers, in particular, are apex predators with immense strength, and working with them always carries an element of risk.

For some, Easley’s death highlights the dangers of allowing private individuals to own and exhibit big cats. For others, it is a reminder of the deep connections humans can form with animals, even in the face of danger. The debate stretches beyond Hugo, Oklahoma, touching on questions about safety regulations, ethical treatment, and the future of roadside zoos.

Remembering Ryan Easley

Despite controversy, Easley’s legacy remains defined by his devotion to the animals he cherished. Growler Pines described him as “a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation.” His wife, Elaine, and their daughter now face the heavy task of carrying on his memory amid heartbreak.

Friends and visitors remember a man who spoke with warmth about his tigers, who believed in educating the public, and who lived his life at the intersection of fascination and risk. His death is not just a tragedy for his family but also a symbol of the complex relationship between humans and the wild creatures they seek to tame.

The death of Ryan Easley at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve is both a deeply personal tragedy and a moment of public reckoning. Easley dedicated his life to tigers, striving to share their majesty with others while believing in the strength of training and trust. Yet, in one swift and devastating moment, the uncontrollable nature of the wild revealed itself.

As Hugo and the broader community grieve, questions remain about the future of private tiger ownership and the risks posed by human interaction with exotic animals. Whether viewed as an “act of God,” as Easley’s father described it, or as a preventable consequence of captivity, the incident is sure to leave a lasting mark on the conversation about wildlife, safety, and conservation in America.

Ryan Easley’s story embodies the fragile line between love and danger in working with wild animals. It is a legacy both inspiring and cautionary one that reminds us of the beauty of the natural world, and the unpredictability that lies within it.

Daily News -