The last sighting of the wounded walking bear was two weeks ago. Watch video
JEFFERSON -- Supporters of "Pedals," the injured walking bear, are concerned for his safety during this week's bear hunting season, which is in its third day.
The 2015 bear hunting season, which runs concurrently with a six-day firearm deer hunting season, is scheduled to end 30 minutes before sunset on Saturday. It may, however, be extended up to four days if poor weather or other conditions result in a reduced "harvest."
Sabrina Walsh-Pugsley, who started a GoFundMe page to have the bear relocated to a facility in Otisville, N.Y., asked supporters of Pedals on Sunday to pray for him during the hunting season. Pedals is walking on his two hind legs and would be an easy target for hunters.
Pugsley, who has raised more than $23,000 on a GoFundMe page, said the last reported sighting of Pedals was two weeks ago, but he wasn't captured. The state Division of Fish and Wildlife is still asking anyone who sights the wounded bear to immediately call 877-927-6337 to report it.
Supporters are concerned that hunters may be searching for the bear because of the media attention it has drawn.
"Please say a prayer for Pedals," Pugsley wrote on her GoFundMe page. "We have faith in his determination."
Supporters of the bear want state wildlife officials to allow the bear to be relocated to the Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville, but the Empire State environmental agency said it would block any move to transfer the bear there.
Orphaned Wildlife Center officials, which have said they would build a special enclosure for the bear, maintain that the state can't block any transfer.
Supporters of the bear are also concerned that he may not survive the winter.
New Jersey wildlife officials have said their biologists believe it's best to let the bear remain in the wild and they won't allow him to be relocated to New York. They want to capture the bear, have it examined and then determine the best course of action.
Pugsley and Lisa Rose Rublack, who started a Care2 petition that has nearly 300,000 signatures seeking the relocation of the bear, went to the state Department of Environmental Protection and the state house last month to deliver the petition and other materials on the bear to officials.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.