Photos Appear To Show Late Bipedal Bear

OCTOBER 17--New Jersey officials today released postmortem photos of a black bear that appears to be the beloved "Pedals," who became an Internet sensation after Garden State residents shot videos showing the animal walking upright on his hind legs.

The bear was killed during a six-day bow hunt that was authorized by the state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). Hundreds of bears were killed during the hunt, which ended Saturday.

Along with releasing images of the 333-pound “harvested” bear, state officials noted that “an apparent injury or defect to the bear’s right front paw and an injury to the left front paw” appeared to be “consistent with the bear seen walking upright on several videos taken from North Jersey residents over the past two years.”

Reports of the killing of "Pedals" began circulating Friday on a Facebook page devoted to “Pedals the Injured Biped Bear.” Over the past two years, the animal was frequently spotted walking through neighborhoods in Rockaway Township (which is located about 40 miles west of New York City). The bear apparently used its hind legs since its forepaws were injured.

In a posted statement, the administrator of the "Pedals" Facebook page reported, “For the hundreds and thousands of animals lovers who were following his story, I am sorry that we have this sad news to bring to you...PEDALS is at peace now because his beautiful soul left his body when he was killed.”

In a statement today accompanying the released photos, the DFW noted that, “While many have developed an emotional attachment to the upright bear, it is important to recognize that all black bears are wildlife. They are not pets. They are capable of doing damage, even in a compromised state.”

As for the identity of the individual who killed “Pedals,” the state “has not, does not and will not release the names of hunters of any wildlife species,” according to the DFW statement. (2 pages)