In a startling revelation, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a candidate in the 2024 presidential race, admitted he orchestrated a decade-old prank involving a dead bear cub in New York City's Central Park.
According to CBS News, the incident, echoing from 2014, resurfaced through a fact-check by The New Yorker amidst Kennedy's presidential campaign.
In October 2014, the bizarre sight of a six-month-old female black bear cub, deceased and arrayed with an old bicycle, drew immediate public and media attention in Central Park. The mysterious presence of the bear sparked widespread speculation and a flurry of police activity, aimed at decoding how the wild animal ended up in such an urban setting.
Kennedy, the man behind the stunt, shared that he found the bear dead along a roadway while engaging in falconry. He explained that a van had struck the bear, resulting in its untimely death. Kennedy, seeing the bear in good condition, decided to utilize its meat and pelts, a legal action in New York provided one has a bear tag.
The day continued to unfold with falconry and a subsequent dinner at Peter Luger Steakhouse. The combination of events led to an unforeseen prolonged outing, provoking Kennedy and his companions, some of whom had imbibed, to conceive the plan of leaving the bear in Central Park. The intent, as Kennedy stated, was influenced by the ongoing media focus on cycling-related accidents in the city.
Following the setup of the bear and bicycle, Kennedy recounted the rapid escalation of media and police interest. "The next day, it was like it was on every television station. It was the front page of every paper," he said. The intense scrutiny included forensic analyses and speculations, drawing a significant allocation of city resources to understand the peculiar incident.
Kennedy expressed his shock at the extent of the response, which included thorough examinations by authorities dressed in protective gear and the transportation of the bear for further investigation. His niece, Tatiana Schlossberg, a reporter with The New York Times, contributed to the media coverage at the time by delving into the origins and implications of the bear's appearance in such an incongruous location.
The story eventually faded from public consciousness until recently revisited by The New Yorker. During the magazine's fact-check process for an article on Kennedy's political campaign, he admitted to his involvement in staging the bear placement. This confession has sparked renewed interest in the curious case of the Central Park bear cub.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, reflecting on the incident, stated that Kennedy would not face any legal repercussions. This decision was based on the insufficiency of evidence and the expiration of relevant statutes of limitation.
In light of this confession and the details now brought to light, the 2014 Central Park bear incident closes another chapter in New York City's array of unusual tales. While no charges will be pressed, the story serves as an unconventional footnote in the broader narrative of Kennedy's public and political life.
This unusual incident remains a unique intersection of wildlife, urban boundaries, and whimsical albeit controversial human intervention. For many, it may pose ethical questions about animal treatment and the responsibilities of public figures in their actions.
It provides an insight into the spontaneous decisions that can lead to unforeseen consequences, especially when under the public eye. Kennedy's 2014 Central Park bear stunt, while initially perceived as a mild prank, underscores the broader impacts such actions can have on public resources, animal ethics, and media narrative.
In conclusion, the strange case of the bear cub in Central Park was a prank spearheaded by Kennedy and fueled by a night of falconry and dining. This act, intended as a lighthearted jab at urban cycling accidents, unfolded into a significant urban spectacle involving police, media speculation, and forensic investigations, all of which culminated in renewed scrutiny due to Kennedy's recent presidential campaign. Kennedy faces no charges, but the story leaves a lasting imprint on his public image and prompts discourse on wildlife and ethical behavior.
