Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted to leaving a dead bear cub's corpse in New York City's Central Park in 2014, describing the act as meant to 'be fun.' Newly obtained records by WIRED detail the cleanup burden placed on city civil servants. The incident, now public through these documents, highlights the aftermath of Kennedy's unusual decision.
In 2014, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., often known as RFK Jr., encountered a dead bear cub and decided to transport its corpse to Central Park in New York City. According to his own account, he left it there with the intention of creating a humorous scenario, stating it was done to 'be fun.'
Records recently acquired by WIRED through public information requests expose the significant challenges faced by New York civil servants in handling the situation. These documents outline the logistical and procedural mess left behind, including the need for specialized removal and disposal processes for the animal remains in a heavily trafficked public space.
The bear cub's placement in Central Park, a iconic urban oasis, raised immediate concerns about public safety and wildlife management protocols. City workers had to coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure proper sanitation and avoid any health risks to park visitors. While Kennedy's explanation frames the event as a lighthearted prank, the records underscore the real-world disruptions it caused to municipal operations.
This revelation comes years after the incident, prompted by ongoing interest in Kennedy's personal anecdotes amid his public profile. The story serves as a reminder of how individual actions can intersect with public resources in densely populated areas like New York.
