This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact The Epoch Times Reprints.
Joseph Maldonado, known also as “Tiger King” Joe Exotic, answers a question during an interview at the zoo he ran in Wynnewood, Okla., on Aug. 28, 2013. Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo
The cause of death of Ryan Easley, the former associate of “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic and animal handler, was released after he was attacked by a tiger nearly three months ago.
In an autopsy report obtained by The Epoch Times on Dec. 11, the Chief Medical Examiner Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, confirmed Easley died of blunt and sharp force trauma, along with crushing injuries due to tiger mauling.
The extent of his injuries included multiple lacerations and punctures across the entire body as well as extensive hemorrhaging in the neck area. The medical examiner ruled the manner of his death an accident.
Easley, who was the operator of the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma, was killed by a tiger that was under his care, the preserve announced in a social media post on Sept. 21.
“Ryan was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation,” the preserve wrote on Facebook. “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.”
The facility was privately owned and offered guided tours, shows, and encounters to the public. Easley was performing in front of a live audience when the attack occurred, and the preserve immediately canceled all scheduled reservations until further notice.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world,” the preserve said at the time. “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.”
A GoFundMe was created by Easley’s family in the days following his death, with contributions going toward Growler Pines and its animals in Easley’s honor.
“Ryan’s impact cannot be overstated. His dedication, his sacrifice, and his love for his work were unmatched,” read the fundraising page. “Anyone who met him could feel his passion—not only for the animals and his work—but even more so for his family.”
Meanwhile, his connection to Joe Exotic, who was the subject of the 2020 Netflix documentary “Tiger King,” goes back years.
According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Easley acquired tigers from Exotic for his business, ShowMe Tigers, and traveled around the nation with the animals for entertainment purposes.
In response to Easley’s death, PETA sent a letter on Sept. 25 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) alleging unsafe practices at Growler Pines and requesting that it revoke the exhibitor’s license and prevent any future licenses from being issued to associates.
“Ryan Eastley’s fate was entirely preventable. ... [The] dangerous direct contact and high-stress animal handling created the conditions that led to Ryan’s tragic death,” the letter stated, adding that the handling practices “inherently create a greater risk for emergent and unpredictable situations, which unnecessarily endangers public safety.”
In 2017, the foundation sounded the alarm on animal abuse allegations against Easley, saying he was “violently whipping” tigers during a training session.
PETA also accused Easley of keeping the tigers in “cramped cages” in the winter at Exotic’s former zoo, G.W. Exotic Animal Park.
At the time, Easley did not directly respond to the allegations. The Epoch Times has reached out to representatives for Easley for comment on the matter, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
Meanwhile, Exotic, whose real name is Joe Maldonado, is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2019 on animal abuse charges and a murder-for-hire plot involving animal welfare activist, Carole Baskin.
Elma Aksalic is a freelance entertainment reporter for The Epoch Times and an experienced TV news anchor and journalist covering original content for Newsmax magazine.
