A tiger handler linked to "Tiger King" Joe Exotic has been killed by one of the big cats at the Oklahoma preserve where he worked.

Ryan Easley "lost his life in an accident involving a tiger under his care" on Saturday, the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo said in a statement on its Facebook page.

It said: "Ryan was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. 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.

"Growler Pines was more than just a place of work for Ryan, it was his calling, his passion and his life's purpose. His courage

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