Growler Pines Tiger Preserve announced its closure on Monday, several weeks after the death of handler Ryan Easley, who was attacked and killed by a tiger under his care.
“With gratitude and reflection, we announce the closing of Growler Pines. Since its founding, Growler Pines has been more than a facility—it has been a place of learning, inspiration, and compassion, built upon the vision and dedication of Ryan Easley,” said Growler Pines Tiger Preserve.
A private facility located in Hugo, Oklahoma, Growler Pines Tiger Preserve opened to the public in 2021, offering guided educational tours by reservation only.
According to Growler Pines, the animals have been “lovingly rehomed” to facilities that share the “same uncompromising commitment to care, enrichment, and conservation that Ryan championed.”
“These placements ensure that each animal continues to thrive in an environment where their welfare is paramount, and where they can continue to inspire future generations about the importance of protecting wildlife, just as Ryan intended.”
Read the entire statement from Growler Pines Tiger Preserve below:
With gratitude and reflection, we announce the closing of Growler Pines. Since its founding, Growler Pines has been more than a facility—it has been a place of learning, inspiration, and compassion, built upon the vision and dedication of Ryan Easley. Many visitors were surprised to learn that Growler Pines was not a large corporation or a funded foundation, but rather a family-run Preserve, sustained entirely by hard work, passion, and the shared belief that conservation begins with care. Ryan believed deeply in the bond between people and animals and worked tirelessly to remind us that every encounter with wildlife is an opportunity to spark care, curiosity, and commitment to conservation.
Ryan poured his soul into this, our forever home. He believed in giving animals not just a home, but a purpose—to educate, inspire, and remind people of our shared responsibility to protect the natural world. Every nail and post driven, every enclosure and display built, all reflected his hands-on commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way.
As we make this difficult decision to close, we do so with Ryan’s values and legacy guiding our every decision. The animals of Growler Pines have been lovingly rehomed to facilities that share the same uncompromising commitment to care, enrichment, and conservation that Ryan championed. These placements ensure that each animal continues to thrive in an environment where their welfare is paramount, and where they can continue to inspire future generations about the importance of protecting wildlife, just as Ryan intended.
We know that Growler Pines touched many lives through visits, educational programs, and the simple joy of seeing Ryan’s passion reflected in the animals he cared for. While our facility is closing, the spirit of Growler Pines lives on through its animals, its mission, and the countless memories it created.
To everyone who supported us—whether you visited, volunteered, donated, or shared Ryan’s story—thank you. Your kindness made this journey possible. Growler Pines may have been built from the ground up by one man’s dream and a family’s determination, but it was sustained by a community that believed in compassion and conservation.
Our gates may close but Ryan’s legacy remains forever sealed in the lives he touched—human and animals alike. His spirit will continue to echo in every roar, every pawprint, and every moment someone chooses to care more deeply for the world around them.
