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In 2014, videos emerged of a bear walking upright like a human being in New Jersey, United States. It was initially thought of as a hoax, but was confirmed by wildlife authorities in the area. The bipedal bear was eventually named Pedals and has since built a huge internet following. A Facebook page about him as more than 16,000 likes.

It is believed that the bear began walking on his hind legs after injuring his two front legs. In the video above, he can be seen walking on two legs through backyards looking for food, and only bending down to eat. The bear population in New Jersey has been on the rise since the 1980s and there are 2,500 bears in the area now. Their coexistence with humans has mostly been peaceful.

While a petition to transfer the bear to a sanctuary has gained 300,000 plus signatures, local officials have said that since Pedals looks perfectly happy in the wild and has gained weight over the years, there is no need to intervene. In the video above, Woodlands Wildlife Refuge Director, Tracy Leaver says that while the images do make for a heartbreaking sight, there is no need to intervene since the bear has survived multiple winters and hunting seasons and has been able to find an adequate supply of food.

Understandably, sighting Pedals and capturing videos of him have become a popular activity.

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