‘Tiger King’ Star Joe Exotic’s Associate Dies After Being Mauled by Tiger

An affiliate of “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic was mauled by … you guessed it … a tiger whereas performing an animal present in Oklahoma — and he died a brutal demise, TMZ has discovered.

Ryan Easley was dealing with the tiger throughout the Saturday present on the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park tells TMZ.

Park says Easley was immediately set upon by the tiger, which grabbed him round his neck and shoulder space, and sank its enamel into him earlier than violently shaking him.

Paramedics and deputies responded to the scene after receiving a name round 2 PM for a tiger that attacked its handler, Park tells us, including Easley was pronounced lifeless a short while later.

We’re informed the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is investigating and can make the ultimate choice as to the destiny of the tiger and the protect.

For the time being, Park says the tiger has been put in a single cage and won’t be allowed out pending the result of the probe.

The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve introduced Ryan’s demise on social media Sunday, remembering him as a “passionate advocate for wildlife conservation,” who beloved Big Cats.

What’s extra, Sheriff Park confirmed a few of the animals underneath Ryan’s care belonged to Joe Exotic, and Ryan by some means acquired them when Joe went to prison.

Joe is serving a 21-year prison sentence after he was convicted of orchestrating a botched murder-for-hire plot in opposition to animal activist Carole Baskin. Joe mourned Easley’s demise in an X submit, sending his condolences to Ryan’s household.