Pedals Through The Years — A Look Back At The Life Of New Jersey's Famous Walking Bear

It was always a good day when Pedals was spotted walking around New Jersey. The bear whose injured paw caused him to walk around on two feet like a human being, was captured on video several times roaming the Garden State and quickly became something of a cult hero.

Videos of his scattered sightings became viral hits that made anyone watching laugh or at least let out an "awwww." Online fundraisers raised thousands of dollars to get Pedals his own home, but New Jersey officials decided he was safe enough roaming free.

Pedals is feared dead this week, reportedly a victim of New Jersey's bear hunting season, when a hunter who apparently had a vendetta for the beloved bear put an arrow through him.

Take a look back in time at the history of Pedals, told through Patch's coverage, from his first spotting in 2014 through now.

Watch Bear Walk on 2 Legs in Jefferson Neighborhood - August 2014

A black bear has been spotted several times recently wandering Jefferson Township on his back two legs.

It’s a rare occurrence, but happens when the bear hurts a front foot, according to Larry Ragonese, press director for New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Ragonese told NBC New York it was “probably a black bear” and said a biologist who examined the YouTube video of the animal roaming the Morris County neighborhood believed it could have a damaged front paw.

WATCH: Upright Black Bear Roams North Jersey Neighborhood - October 1, 2015

Even the ever-present black bears roaming northern New Jersey are preparing for Hurricane Joaquin.

One furry friend was filmed this week in the Oak Ridge section of Jefferson Township, in Morris County, lurking around a neighborhood in search of some food.

And he was doing it just like his human counterparts – upright, on two legs.

Fundraiser Seeks $10K For Injured Bear Walking on Two Legs in Morris County - October 2, 2015

Pedals isn’t just an ordinary bear moving between the wilderness and residential neighborhoods. Because of his injuries and inability to do all the bear things he should, including protect himself, his neighbors have started a GoFundMe page and hope to reach a goal of $10,000.

The donations have reached $2,031 in less than 24 hours and would be used for Pedals to be taken to The Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville, New York.

$15K Raised for Walking Bear to Have New Home, But Wildlife Center Still Needs N.J. Approval - October 7, 2015

Pedals the walking bear is about to stroll right into a new home, thanks to thousands of dollars in donations from complete strangers.

The beloved neighborhood black bear from Oak Ridge, New Jersey, with an injured front paw and missing another, has had enough funds raised on his behalf to live out his days in an upstate New York wildlife sanctuary.

N.J.: No Reason to Give Injured, Upright Walking Bear to Wildlife Sanctuary - October 9, 2015

The funds have been raised, the setting established, and the human help ready to go.

But for Pedals the bear, one hurdle still remains: the state of New Jersey.

52,000 Sign Petition to Relocate Walking Bear, N.J. Still Reviewing Options - October 15, 2015

The injured bear that walks around a Jefferson neighborhood on his hind legs has captured national attention, and supporters from around the world have signed a petition urging the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife to release Pedals to a wildlife sanctuary in upstate New York.

A petition created last week by Lisa Rose asks signees to add their names to the Care2 petition urging the state to let The Orphaned Wildlife Center come to New jersey, tranquilize Pedals and transport him to a newly built home at their New York facility. As of Thursday afternoon the petition had 52,653 signatures with a goal of 55,000.

N.Y.: Pedals The Walking Bear Can't Come to Shelter In Our State - November 9, 2015

The ongoing battle to rescue an injured black bear in northern New Jersey took a major hit recently when New York’s Department of Environmental Protection said it likely could not accommodate the animal in one of its state’s wildlife centers.

The Orphaned Wildlife Center said it could build a habitat at its facility to accommodate Pedals, who would join a dozen or so other bears. For a cost of between $15,000 and $18,000, the Center would come to New Jersey, tranquilize Pedals, and safely relocate the bear to upstate New York.

'Pedals,' Injured Bipedal Walking Bear Is Alive And Well, Report Says - December 28, 2015

“Pedals,” an injured walking bear who has become well-known for walking on two legs, was seen in West Milford recently, having survived the recent bear hunt, state officials said.

The bear was seen on Dec. 21, the state Division of Fish and Wildlife confirmed to NJ.com Monday afternoon.
Spokesman Lawrence Hajna said the agency received a call Dec. 21 from someone who saw the bear, who said the bear ”looked healthy,” and estimated that he weighed about 350 pounds, the report stated.

WATCH: One-Armed Bear Walks On Two Feet Through Backyard - June 22, 2016

He’s baaacck!

Everyone’s favorite bipedal bear (not that there’s a lot of competition) is back for the summer and walking around Oak Ridge in Jefferson Township.

Resident Joey Esposito came across Pedals earlier this week and posted a 5-minute video to the Facebook page Pedals The Injured Bipedal Bear on Monday, June 20.

Pedals, The New Jersey Bear That Walked On Two Feet, Feared Dead - October 14, 2016

"Pedals," the beloved injured bear who walked upright on hind legs, has reportedly been killed.

According to a post on a Facebook page that allows people to track the location of "Pedals," the bear was shot with an arrow and brought to the state weigh station at the Greenpond Golf Course in Rockaway Friday.