An animal trainer tragically lost his life after being attacked by a grizzly bear he had raised from a young age during a failed stunt. Stephan Miller, 39, was assisting at his cousin Randy Miller’s animal training facility, Randy Miller’s Predators in Action, located in the San Bernardino mountains near Los Angeles, USA, when the incident occurred.
The trainer was participating in a promotional video shoot with Rocky, a 7.5ft tall, 50-stone beast, due to his expertise in working with bears and in show business. Despite having previous experience interacting with humans, the grizzly unexpectedly attacked Stephan by lurching at his neck, catching him off guard in a vulnerable moment.
Handlers swiftly intervened using pepper spray to subdue the bear and remove it from the scene within seconds, but unfortunately, Stephan succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident. Randy described the rapid and unfortunate event, expressing their efforts to stop the bear in time but ultimately failing to save Stephan’s life.
Randy, an experienced exotic animal handler of over 25 years, specialized in creating action-packed staged performances with animals. Recalling the day of the attack, he shared that Stephan had been bonding with the bear throughout the day, preparing for a wrestling scene that went awry.
Following the incident, authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, contemplating the fate of Rocky. After public outcry and pressure from animal welfare organizations, the grizzly was spared and relocated to an animal sanctuary in California. The training center, equipped with necessary permits for filming activities, housed various other exotic animals, including bears, snakes, reptiles, big cats, and more.
Hollywood filmmaker Nick Palumbo, a close acquaintance of Stephan and Randy, expressed his grief over the tragic loss, emphasizing Stephan’s strong bond with the bear and the unintended nature of the attack. Stephan’s love for the bear and the deep connection he shared with his cousin in raising it were highlighted in the wake of the unfortunate incident.