There is more to bear attack story

Over five years ago, I noticed a black bear cub trying to follow his mother bear in a New Jersey state park. The tiny cub could only walk on his two front legs and was dragging his back legs on the ground. I never would interfere with mother nature, but it was quite evident this cub would eventually die. I had to intervene. I got a dog carrier and with the help of a friend ventured into the woods. We had to act quickly. The mother bear was close by and watched every move we made. When she saw me go by her cub with the carrier, she would bluff charge, but always stopped and never made contact with us. Everytime she did this, my friend would chase her away. In less then 10 minutes, the cub was in my car being taken to a vet.

There is much more to the tragic death of Darsh Patel then is being told. He was the hiker who found dead at the Apshawa Preserve in West Milford, N.J, on Sept. 21. The other four hikers claimed they ran in all different directions until they regrouped. It was later revealed they were taking pictures of the bear with their cell phone. The hikers must have been doing something to that bear. The whole story does not make any sense. There are too many inconsistencies. Did they surround the bear? Were they feeding the bear to get better pictures? Or worse yet, was it foul play and the police and DEP thinks it is easier just to blame the bear? And why was his pants, socks and shoes off? Was he pushed into the ravine? We want answers!

Susan Kehoe
Highland Lakes