Bipedal Bear’s Death Motivates Bear Hunt Opponents

TRENTON (AP) —

New Jersey’s long-debated black bear hunts have stoked strong passions, blasted by animal rights activists as inhumane and supported by hunters and wildlife officials who say they help minimize run-ins with humans.

But the death of a bear presumed to be one that walked on two feet and became a social media darling has become a rallying cry for hunt opponents as they prepare to stage protests during the second segment of this year’s hunt, which starts Monday. It’s scheduled to run through Saturday.

Pedals the bear first surfaced about two years ago in Jefferson Township. The bear walked with an unusual gait on his hind legs and was spotted ambling around neighborhoods.

Wildlife officials believe Pedals was killed during a bear hunt in October. They released pictures showing the lifeless body of a black bear with injured paws, just like the ones Pedals had, but the identity was unconfirmed.

Pedals was last seen in June.

“Our numbers have always been high, but the killing of Pedals has caused our support to increase,” said Janine Motta, programs director for the Bear Education And Resource program.

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