Overview

• Ryan Easley, a caretaker at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma, died Sept. 20 in an accident involving a tiger under his care, the preserve said.
• The facility canceled all tours and animal encounters until further notice, and its website indicates tickets for canceled visits will be refunded.
• In a memorial post, the preserve described Easley as a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation and requested privacy for his family.
• PETA said direct contact with apex predators is never safe and called on exhibitors to send animals to accredited sanctuaries.
• TV Shows Ace reported a deleted condolence post from Joseph “Joe Exotic” Maldonado and cited PETA describing Easley as an associate.