A hiker from New York has been killed after failing victim to an attack from a 300-pound black bear in a Northern New Jersey popular reserve.
The victim, Darsh Patel, a 22-years old Rutgers University senior, is reported to have gone hiking with four friends over the weekend at the Apshawa Preserve in West Milford.
While in the 576 acres reserve, the group, who the police have described as inexperienced hikers, noticed a male black bear tailing them, they panicked and decided to run in different directions.
A few hours later, after a 911 call, the West Milford Police found Patel's body in the forest. The bear is reported to have been lurking about 30 yards from it and refused to leave. After several unsuccessful attempts to scare the bear away from Patel's corpse, the police are reported to have shot and killed the animal with a shotgun.
Timothy Storbeck, the Chief of the West Milford Department, who personally answered the 911 distress call by Patel's friends, told reporters that "There was evidence on the body of bite marks and scratch marks from the bear."
The deadly attack is the first recorded incident of its kind in the state. According to state officials, bear attacks are very rare and this is only the second bear-human brawl recorded. The first is reported to have occured as far back as the 19th century.
About 2,400 bears are believed to be living in the northern forests of New Jersey. Authorities suspect that the bear which attacked Patel may have been hungry.
Meanwhile, an investigation into why the bear attacked the students has been opened, Police say samples will be collected from the bear's stomach to determine the animal's state of health when it attacked the group on Sunday. Officials also say an autopsy will be conducted on Patel's body to determine the exact cause of his death.
Chancellor Richard L. Edwards of Rutgers University, where Patel studied informatics and information technology at the School of Art and Science, has issued at statement extending condolence and support to the aggrieved families and friends of the victim.
