Darsh Patel: Hiker Took Pics Of Bear Moments Before It Killed Him


Darsh Patel, the New Jersey hiker who was mauled to death by a black bear in September, took several pictures of the animal before he was attacked.

The Daily News reports that Patel took the pictures with his cell phone moments before the attack began.

The 300-pound bear is featured clearly in the pictures that were taken on September 21.

On the day of the fatal attack, Darsh Patel along with four other hikers visited the Apshawa Preserve of West Milford. Reports show that they were advised at the entrance of the preserve of a bear on the loose. All five of them were encouraged to turn around and reconsider their travel plans.

However, they all decided not to listen to that advice and kept going.

David Suh, one of Darsh Patel’s friends that were with him, confirmed that a couple gave them that advice. Even though he hesitated initially, Suh claims that the rest of the group (including Patel) wanted to see the bear, so he went along with them.

When the black bear was first spotted about 300 feet away from Darsh Patel and his friends, according to NJ.com, the bear seemed to only be curious. It did not charge, pop its jaws or bluff — all of which are signs of a bear acting aggressively.

The 22-year-old Rutgers University student started taking pictures of the black bear when he was nearly 100 feet away from the animal.

Once the pictures were taken, the group of hikers started to walk away. However, the bear unexpectedly started to follow them — getting closer and closer. Shortly after the bear was within 15 feet, the five hikers decided to split up and run for it.

The Daily News reports that the last time Patel was seen alive was when he climbed a rock as the bear was close behind him. Darsh reportedly yelled for the other hikers to keep going without him.

All four of the remaining hikers were able to escape and called 911.

A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Larry Ragonese, opened up at the attack and the aftermath during a press conference that was held on September 22. According to his statement, the black bear was circling Patel’s body shortly before it was shot to death by police officers.

The West Milford Police Department released the photos that were taken by Darsh Patel of the black bear that mauled and killed him after NJ Advance Media officially filed an Open Public Records Act.

According to the news site, the cell phone was recovered after the attack occurred. It was punctured by the bear’s teeth.

Share this article: Darsh Patel: Hiker Took Pics Of Bear Moments Before It Killed Him
More from Inquisitr