While a horrified audience looked on, an animal handler was mauled and killed by a tiger at an Oklahoma animal preserve over the weekend. Per ABC News, "The attack unfolded on Saturday at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo in southeast Oklahoma...and claimed the life of 37-year-old Ryan Easley, the owner of the preserve...." According to Choctaw Country Sheriff Terry Park, the tiger was performing with Easley when it lethally attacked him.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Park told ABC News, "It happened toward the end of a show in which there were people that saw this incident occur. No one knows, other than God above, as to what made the tiger attack the handler/trainer." Per the outlet, an investigation into the deadly incident was ongoing as of Monday.
According to Park, Easley had raised the animal from the time it was very young. It reportedly bit him "around the neck and shoulder, likely killing him instantly."
Easley's Wife and Daughter Were Present
Making the situation even more terrible was the fact that Easley's wife and daughter were among the spectators. Following the mauling, Mrs. Easley went into the cage and got the tiger into a different cage.
There Was a Substantial Emergency Response
Per the outlet, emergency personnel hastened to the preserve to assist Easley. Choctaw County Emergency Medical Services professionals, sheriff's deputies, and Hugo police officers arrived on scene. However, Easley had already succumbed to his injuries. "Easley's body was taken to the state Medical Examiner's Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for an autopsy, Park said."
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve Released a Statement
Per the outlet via Facebook, the statement said this. "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...,
Furthermore, "Ryan was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. 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. Growler Pines was more than just a place of work for Ryan; it was his calling, his passion and his life's purpose."
Also on FB, the preserve posted this message on January 13. It said that, "Today, we passed our license renewal inspection by the federal government! Anyone who shares and exhibits their animals with the public is licensed and regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture."
As of September 24, their web site stated that "Due to unforeseen circumstances, all tours have been postponed. All tickets will be refunded."
