A Rutgers University senior is believed to have been killed by a black bear while hiking with four friends through the Apshawa Preserve in West Milford, New Jersey — the first suspected bear kill of a human since 1852.
Police Chief Timothy Storbeck said the body of Darsh Patel, 22, of Edison, N.J., was discovered in the woods, shortly after he and his hiking friends saw the bear and tried to flee in separate directions, Fox News reported. Mr. Storbeck said the bear kept circling the emergency responders who were trying to treat Mr. Storbeck, even after they repeatedly tried to scare it away with sticks, stones and loud noises.
The 300-pound bear was killed with two rifle shots. It’s currently at the state lab for analysis and to determined why it may have chased after the hikers.
Black bears are normally shy of humans, state officials said, The Associated Press reported, But the five hikers may have inadvertently brought on the attack by running; the best way to deal with bears is to walk away slowly and keep from looking them in the eyes, experts said, AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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