Fatal bear attack in W. Millford - Update

I just came across this article of the factual events that occurred that day. I kind of felt that this was the situation since attacks are not common with black bears. Unfortunately, these boys were forewarned of the bear but chose to continue into the woods. If anything comes of this, I hope that kids will learn that taking pics of wild animals is dangerous. Apparently there is a popular fad with kids taking "selfies" and videos with wild animals and posting them on social media.

http://www.nj.com/passaic-county/index.ssf/2014/11/hiker_snapped_pictures_of_bear_before_fatal_attack_in_west_milford.html#incart_river

villani ✉
Nov '14

This isn't a "selfie" with a bear. I don't think being 100 feet away from a bear is disrespecting wildlife. Assuming it's true that they stopped and backed up at that point, it seems that the bear was more aggressive than typical (especially with no cubs around). The fact that it followed other hikers shows that it was "misbehaving" as well.

I've been within a few hundred feet of a bear in the woods before, and making noise causes them to run away. I also carry bear spray just in case.

Mark Mc. ✉
Nov '14

Completely agree with you, Mark. While I would have definitely turned around upon being notified by other hikers that they were being "followed" by a bear (rather alarming), it doesn't seem that the group was provoking the bear. This bear's behavior was certainly abnormal. Wonder if the necropsy included the brain... a tumor, just as an example, can cause erratic or unusual behavior in an animal. Did anyone see a detailed necropsy report on the bear published anywhere?

Rebecka ✉
Nov '14

Mark and Rebecka - I guess I need to make myself clearer. By saying "disrespect for wildlife" I didn't mean that they did something untoward, I meant that they didn't have respect for the dangers that wildlife can impose. Does that make more sense?

Sometimes the actual thoughts in my head don't translate well after I read what I wrote. LOL

Calico696 ✉
Nov '14

I understood what you meant, Calico. And I agree, they didn't have enough respect to do whatever they could to steer clear of a dangerous animal. I just thought that Villani implied they were taking selfies, and the article seemed to try to cast disparaging remarks in their direction, too -- as if to hint it might have been the hikers' faults.

Thanks for posting the link to necropsy results, Mark.

Rebecka ✉
Nov '14

+ 1 caged,, it's past time, New Jersey needs to get with the rest of the country that allows citizens to freely exercise their rights under the constitution.

we need a 'shall issue' permit law passed in trenton ASAP

btw, it's a fact, bears do eat people, bears are meat eaters, they like meat, and they like eating people.

BrotherDog ✉
Nov '14

How exactly do you get a "selfie" WITH a wild animal?? lol!

JRT ✉
Nov '14

It wasn't a "selfie", but it WAS a "cellphie", since it was taken with a cellphone (-;

ianimal ✉
Nov '14

How exactly do you get a "selfie" WITH a wild animal?? lol!

Just do a google search. There are plenty of fools that post selfie's and videos. It has been becoming a trend..not sure why but the kids think it's cool. Here are just a couple.

Fool #1

villani ✉
Nov '14

Fool #3

villani ✉
Nov '14

So what? Many people on HL have said if you don't bother it, it wont bother you. No one is bothering the bear in those 2 pics.

botheredbyuu2 ✉
Nov '14

they think its funny because they think nothing will happen to them except they are wrong. and i think its disgusting that they had to put the bear down most likely for some idiots stupidity.

Poppy Girl
Nov '14

All I know is if I see a bear that close to me after being warned of a bear following hikers, I am not going to take time taking pictures. Especially if I'm unarmed. You all can stick up for these foolish kids all you want so you can promote more bear hunts but those kids should have been walking away as soon as they saw the bear. Why take a chance just for a pic? Now if I saw a turkey I would stop for a pic. LOL!

Redwing
Nov '14

They were far into the forest when they encountered those hikers. The article is either written sloppily or is just incorrect. It is too bad they didn't listen to the other hikers and turn around, but the bear was already following that group and it may have been too late anyway.

Gadfly ✉
Nov '14

Another genius. Sigh.....

Calico696 ✉
Dec '14

That raccoon selfie guy is a moron.

Blackcat ✉
Dec '14

I saw this article and couldn't help but think of this article. lol
http://jezebel.com/this-womans-selfie-with-a-monkey-ended-very-very-badly-1671065165?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

villani ✉
Dec '14