An experienced animal trainer tragically lost his life after being fatally attacked by a grizzly bear he had raised since childhood 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, United States, when the tragic incident occurred.
The incident took place while they were filming a promotional video featuring Rocky, a 7.5ft tall grizzly weighing approximately 50 stone, due to Stephan’s prior experience working with bears in the entertainment industry.
Rocky, a five-year-old grizzly accustomed to interacting with humans, had previously appeared in the 2008 film “Semi-Pro,” where Stephan served as a body double for actor Will Ferrell.
During the filming on that fateful day in 2008, the bear suddenly attacked Stephan by lunging at his neck, catching him off guard and biting him in a vulnerable area.
Handlers swiftly used pepper spray to subdue the bear, successfully removing Rocky within seconds, while emergency medical personnel rushed to the scene. Despite their efforts, Stephan succumbed to his injuries just moments after the attack, leaving behind a wife and two children.
Randy, who had been involved in raising exotic animals for more than 25 years, specialized in action sequences and staged animal interactions.
Recounting the events of the day, he shared with ShareNow.com, “Stephan spent the day bonding with the bear, engaging in conversation and activities. Although he had previously done a photoshoot with the bear, it had been some time since they last met. The plan was for Stephan to play-wrestle with the bear, with all necessary safety precautions in place.”
The bear had initially exhibited friendly behavior towards Stephan, but unexpectedly turned aggressive. Following the incident, authorities launched an investigation to determine the circumstances, with concerns raised over the bear’s future.
After advocacy from animal welfare groups, Rocky was spared from euthanasia and relocated to an animal sanctuary in California. The training center, with the necessary permits for filming activities, housed a variety of exotic animals, including brown bears, a black bear, snakes, reptiles, an alligator, crocodile, leopard, mountain lion, African lions, and tigers.
Among the visitors to the facility was Hollywood filmmaker Nick Palumbo, who expressed deep sorrow over Stephan’s untimely death, emphasizing Stephan’s strong bond with the bear he had raised alongside his cousin.