New York DEC official said there's no scenario in which they would allow a state facility to take in the injured walking bear. Watch video
JEFFERSON -- "Pedals," the injured walking bear, has just had another hurdle thrown in his path -- even if New Jersey wildlife officials allowed him to be relocated to a wildlife center in New York, the Empire State environmental agency says it, too, would stand in the way of the move.
Benning DeLaMater, a public information officer with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, said there's no scenario in which the agency would allow the Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville, N.Y. to take in the bear.
According to DeLaMater, a wildlife facility is only allowed one special permit to take in a bear with special needs and the Orphaned Wildlife Center already has one such permit. He did not cite or provide to NJ Advance Media any regulations limiting the number of special needs bears a wildlife facility can house, but he has said he would provide a more detailed response next week.
DeLaMater said the facility is in good standing and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation has never received any complaints or issued any tickets to it for violations. Nonetheless, he said his agency will not allow "Pedals" to take up residence there even if New Jersey grants permission.
More than 280,000 people have signed a Care2 petition as of Friday demanding New Jersey Fish and Wildlife officials allow the relocation of the injured bear to the Orphaned Wildlife Center, a wildlife sanctuary that has offered to take in the bear and rehabilitate him.
The bear has been seen walking upright through Oak Ridge neighbors on his hind legs because of injuries to both paws.
RELATED: Have you seen the walking bear? Wildlife officials need help finding him
Sabrina Walsh Pugsley, an Oak Ridge resident, has started a GoFundMe page to help relocate the bear to New York that has raised more than $23,000.
Care2 petition author Lisa Rose Rublack, of Bloomingdale, said supporters of the bear will rally on Nov. 10 at 12:30 p.m. at the New Jersey State House and ask that the bear be captured and allowed to relocate to the Orphaned Wildlife Center.
"It's an urgent situation, and we desperately need the state of New Jersey to act immediately to allow us to help this handicapped bear," said Rublack.
Rublack said the money raised to support the transfer of the bear to the New York facility will expire at the end of November, per the campaign's 60-day deadline.
Making matters more urgent, Rublack said, is New Jersey's bear hunt, scheduled for Dec. 7. Activists are concerned the bear's unique movements and notoriety will make him an easy and inviting target if he wanders into bear hunting zones.
The challenge of the bear surviving another winter in his condition also concerns supporters.
An official at the Orphaned Wildlife Center Center was surprised when told that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation would block the facility from taking in the bear.
"No. They haven't told us that," said an official at the facility who declined to give her name. "We have 12 bears here, one black bear. We currently have one special permit to keep a bear with specific needs. We would have to add another. We've never been denied a permit before.
"I don't see any grounds on which they would deny us the permit. We have the space, the facilities and a young lady has raised over $23,000 for us to build a specific enclosure for the bear. We have over 100 acres here. We have had 100-percent stellar reviews. We're certainly capable of taking in the bear if New Jersey allows it."
PLUS: Residents worry that "Pedals," the walking bear, won't survive the winter
The official at the Orphaned Wildlife Center added that even if their facility isn't allowed to take in the bear, something should be done to help the animal.
"We feel this bear is in a bad situation," she said. "Whether he's physically fit or not, he needs help. Ultimately, he's going to hurt someone or someone is going to hurt him. He walking through neighbors. Hunting season is coming. If they can't send him to us, send him somewhere. We just want to see the bear get help."
Lawrence Hajna, a spokesman for the New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency's Division of Fish and Wildlife, said the agency's biologists believe it's best to let the bear continue to survive in the wild. The agency has asked anyone who spots the bear or has any information on his whereabouts to call state wildlife officials at 877-927-6337 immediately.
Hajna said the agency wants to have its biologists examine the bear and determine his condition and whether he'll be able to survive the winter. If not, the agency will determine the next course of action.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.