Rocky, the celebrity bear, killed trainer Stephan Miller,39, yesterday. Rocky is most recently known for his scene in Will Ferrell’s Semi-Pro, where he wrestles Will Ferrell’s character. The 5 year old 700 pound bear is one of many animals at the Predators in Action training center owned by Stephan Miller’s cousin, Randy Miller. Randy has been an animal trainer for 25 years and his animals have appeared in movies like, “The Postman,” “The Last Samurai,” and “Gladiator.” In an interview in February Randy stated that Rocky was, “The best working bear in the business,” and all of his trainers would agree. Rocky seemed to obediently follow cues. Randy also stated in the same interview that, ” If one of these animals gets your throat, you’re finished” and that is exactly what happened to Stephan. 
Stephan and two other trainers were working with Rocky when he suddenly attacked him, grabbing him by the neck. The other two trainers quickly subdued the bear with pepper spray and immediately called paramedics. The paramedics tried to revive Stephan but his injuries were to severe. A representative for Fish and Game said that because the training center is located outside their jurisdiction the decision whether or not to euthanize the bear will be left to San Bernardino County Animal Control. I am sure that the poor bear will be killed just like Siegfried and Roy’s white tiger. So sad.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
That is horrible. What a sad story. I could never get that close to a bear even if it is the best bear in the business.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
wild animals are wild animals, so sad! the whole situation = (
retire the bear, don’t kill him!!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
That’s sad. No matter how well we treat it, it still animal.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Its a sad stuation but it really doesnt suprise me.
I mean, you can educate a bear, and make him very obedient for sure, but they are still wild and they will always remain wild. Its risky business what can I say.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:43 am
This is tragic. What a shame for the trainer, like he spent all his time with this bear and look what happened. I wonder what will happen to Rocky now?
April 27th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I feel that it wasn’t Rocky’s fault, this is a risk the trainers take. Rocky does not deserve to die, this is a very unfortunate situation. Bears should be free to live on their own in their natural habitat, period. I dislike this kind of treatment (like circuses) of animals- they should be allowed to live free. Rocky should finally be retired to a sanctuary to live the rest of his days in peace. May peace also be with the trainer’s family…so sorry for their loss.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:34 am
I agree with Linda. This is a risk that the trainer took. I also do NOT believe that the bear meant to do this. If you were a 700 pound 8 foot tall bear, you would also play bite, this is even what dogs do when you play with them. I don’t believe he did this on purpose. This is a wild animal and he did not know his own strength. He DID not attack his trainer. HE was playing. The trainer KNEW the risks and he has to be held accountable for his actions. Human beings who decide to play with bears should not hold the BEAR accountable for his or her actions. IT is a wild animal. What would killing the bear prove? This isn’t a court room where the bear or other bears can reason. Will other bears be taught a lesson from this? We don’t even kill people who kill other people and they do it on purpose. How can you hold a WILD ANIMAL accountable when he never had a chance or a choice to be in his own habitat? This is sooo stupid. Yes, it is sad that the trainer died. But, this is the FIELD he chose and he chose his own fate by chosing a high risk field. If someone dies rock climbing or parachuting. Then that is the risk they took. A high risk. LEave the bear alone. HE doesn’t understand that he did anything wrong and he did not ATTACK him. He was wrestling with the trainer and it appears to be accidental. Don’t kill the bear it isn’t logical or fair.