Tiger handler Ryan Easley was fatally mauled in an accident involving a tiger he cared for at an Oklahoma preserve , the wildlife refuge said.

The attack occurred Saturday at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Oklahoma.

“This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world,” the preserve said in a Facebook post . “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.”

The preserve remembered him as a “passionate advocate for wildlife conservation,” who especially loved big cats and dedicated his life to the care of animals.

“His courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to wil

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