Hercules (1975 – 4 February 2000)[1] was a trained grizzly bear from Scotland who appeared in a number of cameo roles for various television productions, reaching the height of his popularity in the 1980s.

Scottish wrestler Andy Robin had appeared on the same card as wrestling bear (Terrible Ted) in Maple Leaf Gardens in 1965.

On 13 September, a crofter spotted the animal swimming; Herc was shot with a tranquilliser dart, netted, and flown by helicopter back to Andy.

Being used to eating cooked food (he disliked raw flesh), the bear had lost 15 stone (95 kg; 210 lbs), almost half his weight.

Following the filming of a BBC television documentary, Eyewitness Bear in 1997,[3] Hercules suffered back pain whilst on transit to his home, marking an abrupt end to his career.

Although antibiotics were given to counter this, Hercules struggled to regain his prior health as he entered a state of torpor as a result of colder weather.