Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A tiger handler and an associate of Tiger King's Joe Exotic was mauled to death in an apparent "accident" involving a big cat under his care, the Oklahoma preserve where the incident occurred said Sunday.
Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo, located near Oklahoma's southeastern border with Texas, said in a Facebook statement that the incident involving Ryan Easley happened Saturday.
"Ryan was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. His love for animals, especially big cats, was evident in every aspect of his life," the preserve said.
"This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world. Ryan understood those risks -- not out of recklessness but out of love," it continued.
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