An associate of Netflix’s “Tiger King” was killed by tiger in a shocking incident that has reignited debates about animal rights, personal risk, and government overreach. Ryan Easley, 37, owner of Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Oklahoma, “lost his life in an accident involving a tiger” during a performance show, the preserve confirmed.
For Easley, working with big cats was not just a career but a passion. “Growler Pines was more than just a place of work for Ryan, it was his calling, his passion and his life’s purpose,” the preserve said.
Animal rights activists quickly seized on the tragedy to demand new restrictions. PETA labeled his facility a “roadside zoo,” accusing Easley of hauling tigers “around the country” and forcing them “to perform in cruel circuses.” PETA’s Debbie Metzler declared, “It’s never safe for humans to interact directly with apex predators.”
But Joe Exotic, the titular “Tiger King” currently serving time in federal prison, defended Easley’s work and warned against government intrusion. “No one can blame the tiger for what happened,” Exotic wrote. “We all take risk 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.”
