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'Pedals' The Injured Upright Walking Bear Sighted In NJ, Appears Healthy

WEST MILFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey wildlife officials say there's been a sighting of a bipedal bear that has become a social media darling.

Fans of the injured bruin nicknamed 'Pedals' had grown concerned because the animal had not been seen for several weeks. New Jersey recently held its annual state-mandated bear hunt, which concluded on December 19, sparking concerns for the bear, which still remains in the wild.

According to officials, a resident saw the bear in West Milford on Dec. 21 and said it appeared to be in good health, NJ.com reported. The caller estimated that Pedals weighed roughly 350 pounds.

The bear was also spotted by residents in Oak Ridge in September.

The bear first gained fame after it was spotted last year ambling around neighborhoods and caught in videos that were posted on social media and played on national television. Experts say the bear apparently has some sort of leg or paw injury that won't allow it to spend much time on all fours.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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