Comments on: Grizzly bear used in Will Ferrell movie kills trainer

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:09:11 +0000

There’s no need for movies to be using real wild animals anymore. Computer technology can do the job perfectly well. Look at how seamlessly computer generated animals were merged with shots of the real ones in Winged Migration and March of the Penguins. Give jobs to American technology workers and let the bears live in peace.

Hopefully the insurance and liability costs of using wild animals will rise enough because of this tragedy that movie studios will find it more cost effective to do the right thing.

By: Gary Bogue

Gary Bogue — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:16:15 +0000

Louis:
I agree.
Please keep those consequences in mind as you go about your daily work with those wonderful animals. The fact that they’re being rehabilitated from bad past environments cuts that already-thin margin even thinner.
But you know that. /Gary

By: Louis Dorfman

Louis Dorfman — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:12:03 +0000

I saw your blog on one of the “alerts” I have for my email for topics of interest.

I think you did a good job of explaining, in concise terms, what can happen with a wild animal.

They are always wild; not malicious, not aggressive, just a combination of strong emotions, strong instincts, and NO inhibitions. The last one is what can get you; what they feel at the moment is what they will do.

You’re exactly right; never get physical with a wild animal. I work with about 30 lions, tigers, cheetahs, etc. weekly, rehabilitating them from bad past environments. I also work with bears, as well as other wild animals. I never use any discipline, but always sense their mood at the moment and react appropriately to become a source of comfort and security for the animal. That is my margin of safety.

What happened with this bear no one can know that didn’t know the bear and wasn’t present at the time of the tragedy. But, it was definitely not malicious, just a quick reaction to a negative stimulus. There’s just no margin for error, but don’t blame the bear. You put yourself in that position, it’s your responsibility to be right 100% of the time. If not, you should know the consequences.