AN ex-colleague of “Tiger King” Joe Exotic has been mauled to death by a big cat in Oklahoma.
Ryan Easley was killed after a tiger attacked him in an “accident” on Saturday.
Facebook/@Circus WorldRyan Easley was killed after a tiger attacked him[/caption]
Facebook/@Growler Pines Tiger PreserveHe was the owner of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve[/caption]
Facebook/Ryan EasleyHe was described as a ‘passionate advocate for wildlife conservation’[/caption]
Ryan was the owner of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve, which has cancelled all tours until further notice.
His colleagues paid tribute to him, calling Ryan a “passionate advocate for wildlife conservation”.
A spokesperson for the preserve said: “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 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.”
Joseph Maldonado, better known as Joe Exotic, also acknowledged Ryan’s death in now-deleted social media post, according to The Oklahoman.
Maldonado was previously convicted of 19 federal counts including wildlife crimes and a notorious murder-for-hire case.
He wrote: “Prayers go out to his family. Ryan took great care of his animals!
“He loved everyone of those tigers and was an advocate for tigers as well as elephants.”
Ryan had acquired tigers from the incarcerated “Tiger King” star, animal rights group PETA has claimed.
PETA Foundation Senior Director of Captive Wildlife Debbie Metzler said: “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.”
The group called on animal exhibitors to “get out of the business now and send the animals to accredited sanctuaries where they can finally live in peace”.
The exact circumstances around Ryan’s death remain unknown.
It comes after a tech CEO has fell to his death while hiking on a California mountain.
Matias Augusto Travizano had been climbing down from the peak of Mount Shasta.
But while trying to slide down an icy path to safety after getting stuck, he lost control and hurtled down 300 feet into a boulder.
The sheriff’s office said: “While the Clear Creek Route is considered one of the mountain’s ‘safer’ trails to summit, climbers can become disoriented in low-visibility conditions, particularly when descending from the summit plateau.
“Once off the trail, these climbers often wander into more hazardous areas in the Ash Creek or Mud Creek drainages, where accidents are more likely to occur.”
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