An animal trainer tragically lost his life after being attacked by a grizzly bear he had raised since he was a child during a stunt gone wrong.
Stephan Miller, aged 39, was assisting his cousin at Randy Miller’s Predators in Action animal training center in the San Bernardino mountains near Los Angeles, USA, when the incident occurred.
The trainer was collaborating with his cousin to film a promotional video featuring Rocky, a 7.5-foot tall grizzly weighing approximately 50 stone, due to his expertise in working with bears and the entertainment industry.
Rocky, a five-year-old grizzly bear accustomed to humans, had previous experience wrestling with Stephan in the 2008 film “Semi-Pro,” where he served as a body double for actor Will Ferrell.
On the day of the incident in 2008, while filming what was intended to be a playful advertisement, the bear suddenly attacked Stephan, catching him off guard and biting him on the neck.
Handlers quickly used pepper spray to subdue the bear, successfully removing Rocky within seconds, as paramedics rushed to the scene. Despite efforts to save him, Stephan passed away shortly after the attack, leaving behind a wife and two children.
Randy, speaking to the Associated Press, described the incident as occurring swiftly, with the necessary actions taken to stop the bear. He emphasized the quick response but lamented that it was too late to save Stephan.
With over 25 years of experience in raising exotic animals and specializing in staged attacks, Randy recounted the events leading up to the tragedy, highlighting Stephan’s interaction and bonding with the bear throughout the day.
The bear, seemingly friendly and playful moments before the attack, suddenly turned aggressive. Investigations by the state’s Department of Fish and Game and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ensued, initially undecided on the fate of the bear.
Following advocacy from animal rights organizations, Rocky was spared from euthanasia and relocated to an animal sanctuary in California. Authorities confirmed the training center possessed all necessary permits for filming activities.
Apart from Rocky, the facility housed two brown bears, a black bear, various snakes and reptiles, an alligator, crocodile, leopard, mountain lion, four African lions, and four tigers.
Hollywood filmmaker Nick Palumbo, a close acquaintance of Stephan and Randy, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, asserting his belief that the bear did not intend harm, given the bond shared between Stephan and the animal.
In his words, Stephan was cherished, and any harm caused to him would evoke strong emotions, despite acknowledging the tragic outcome of the incident.
