Joe Exotic, the central figure in the “Tiger King” documentary, has recently paid tribute to a colleague who tragically lost his life after being attacked by a tiger at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Oklahoma. The victim, Ryan Easley, aged 37, succumbed to injuries sustained during the tiger mauling incident, where he suffered bites to his neck and shoulder regions before being violently shaken by the animal.
In the aftermath of the attack, the tiger involved has been isolated in a single cage pending the completion of investigations into the incident. Joe Exotic, known for his fame from the Netflix series “Tiger King,” expressed deep sorrow over Easley’s death and appealed to authorities not to enforce stricter regulations on such preserves.
In a social media post, Joe Exotic, also known as Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage, extended condolences to Easley’s family and defended the tiger, emphasizing that risks are inherent in their line of work and should not lead to a blanket ban on keeping tigers. He also criticized PETA for their allegations against the preserve, dismissing claims of mistreatment of the tigers as false.
Maldonado-Passage recounted his past experiences with Easley, highlighting the latter’s ambition to work with numerous tigers simultaneously despite the associated risks. Despite any disagreements in business practices, Maldonado-Passage emphasized the loss as a tragic event and paid his respects to Easley, acknowledging the risks individuals in their profession undertake.
Animal rights organizations like PETA and Humane World for Animals have condemned Easley’s facility, labeling it as a “roadside zoo” and highlighting concerns regarding the treatment and performance of tigers in such establishments. They have called for a cessation of such practices and the relocation of animals to accredited sanctuaries for their well-being.
Easley’s preserve, which offers tours and educational demonstrations about tiger care, has suspended all activities following the unfortunate incident. The community is mourning the loss of Ryan Easley, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tiger attack continues.