Remember Pedals? The bi-pedal bear that went viral because it stood on it’s hind-legs. Pedals was so unique that a majority of the internet thought Pedals was as real as Big Foot or a unicorn. But, Pedals was real, and Pedals won the hearts of intent users across the web shortly after video surfaced online of the tall-walking bear.
There was concern earlier in the week that Pedals hadn’t survived a recent New Jersey bow hunt, the first in four decades. Pedals was thought to have been killed after a statement from the Division of Fish and Wildlife described a bear being brought in that had similarities to Pedals.
“There are pictures of a bear with injured limbs that was brought into the station,” said Bob Considine, a spokesman for the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
It has since been confirmed that Pedals, the Bipedal Bear, was killed by a hunter who had dreamt of killing the injured bear for three years.
Hunters and locals who knew of the bear had attempted to relocate the bear in recent years, so it could have sanctuary. Lisa Rose-Rublack, a resident of Bloomingdales even raised $20,000 to help make that possible. But, it looks like Pedals wasn’t able to be saved.
The hunter’s identity wasn’t released by officials, who said they don’t want to give any names, including eyewitnesses. This is good news for the hunter, who hopefully has their identity kept a secret, unless they spread word themselves, which is highly likely. Eyewitnesses say the hunter who bagged Pedals was bragging about it at the station.
If their identity is discovered, it could be a situation that makes the backlash of the killing of Cecil the lion seem like a minor backlash.
Photos of the dead bear are said to exist from the weigh station, though none have been released.
“We believe there were indeed photos taken at the Green Pond station by our biologists, which does happen [on] occasion at weigh in stations,” said Considine. “We’re tracking down how many photos there are and when they were taken. Whatever we have, we’ll look to distribute them next week, after the six-day bear hunt is over. Hopefully Monday.”
It remains to be completely confirmed if Pedals was indeed killed. Until pictures are released with a confirmation, it seems we can only be 99.9% sure the upright walking bear is gone.
