Hiker takes five pictures of bear before it kills him

A hiker was killed after he spent minutes photographing a dangerous black bear in the wild, instead of finding cover.

AP775066471374

by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Darsh Patel, 22, was hiking with friends in the Apshawa Preserve, 45 miles northwest of New York, when he spotted the black bear in the forest.

After seeing the 300-pound creature through the trees, Darsh started taking photos of him, before he met his grisly end.

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A black bear
A black bear

Investigators into the young man’s death say his phone, containing the pictures, was found with puncture marks from the bear.

West Milford police said last month that the bear does not seem interested in food and has exhibited ‘stalking type behaviour.’

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One of the actual photos taken by Darsh before his death

Advice sites in the US warn against hiker surrounding bears, it is encouraged to make your presence known by talking loudly, singing or wearing a bell.

When you see a bear, walkers are encouraged to remain calm, make no sudden movements, and keep their distance.

The US Parks authority also recommends that if a black bear attacks, you should fight back, be aggressive and be as loud as you can.

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