New Jersey’s most famous black bear may have fallen victim to hunting season.
A bear matching the description of Pedals, beloved in Jersey suburbs for walking upright on his two hind legs, was brought into the Green Pond check station in Rockaway on Monday.
Pedals is missing his front right paw and has a dangling front left paw, likely contributing to his peculiar walking pattern.
“I’m hoping he’s not the one, but there’s a strong possibility that he is,” said Eleanor Hoffman, a spokeswoman for the Bear Education and Resource Group which opposes bear hunting.
Officials are unable to confirm whether the bear is indeed Pedals, as he was never tagged or had a DNA sample taken.
New Jersey hunters have killed 487 bears during this year’s season so far, including 55 on Friday alone.
The season ended Saturday.