Tiger handler Ryan Easley was fatally mauled in an accident involving a tiger he cared for at an Oklahoma preserve, the wildlife refuge said.

The attack occurred Saturday at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo.

This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world, the preserve said on Facebook. 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.

The preserve remembered him as a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation, who especially loved big cats and dedicated his life to the care of animals.

His courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to wildlife will never be forgotten, the

See Full Page