A tiger handler was fatally mauled by a tiger at the wildlife refuge he operated in Oklahoma, the organization announced.

Ryan Easley died after an incident on Saturday at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma. He was 37.

“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,” the organization wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. “Ryan was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. His love for animals, especially Big Cats, was evident in every aspect of his life.

“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.

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