emergency personnel
A bear dragged 50-year-old Christopher Petronino (pictured on the stretcher) into a cave at Splitrock Reservoir on Sunday afternoon. Above emergency personnel place him into an ambulance
A 50-year-old Boy Scout leader used a rock hammer to fight a bear off during an encounter with the animal in northern New Jersey.

On Sunday afternoon, the bear grabbed Christopher Petronino's foot and dragged him into a cave at Splitrock Reservoir on Sunday afternoon, NJ.com reported.

Authorities have said the Scout leader was hurt - but the three Scouts with him were unharmed.

State wildlife officials think the bear was guarding its hibernation spot.


During the incident, the animal bit Petronino's leg and shoulders. He had reportedly told investigators that he had known about the cave since the 1980s.

Bob Considine with the Department of Environmental Protection said in a statement issued to NJ.com: 'Division of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers and the Wildlife Control Unit believe the bear was protecting its hibernation location and they do not, at this point, consider the bear to be a Category I bear.'

Considine said in the statement to the website: 'Petronino struck the bear twice in the head with a rock hammer.

'He then pulled his sweatshirt over his head and curled into the fetal position.

'He yelled to the scouts, who were outside the cave, to leave and go get help.'

NJ.com reported that via cell phone the three Scouts contacted authorities but were not able to give a clear description of where they were located.

The group also lured the bear away from the cave by leaving food for it as instructed by Petronino.

The scouts also attempted to build a fire to distract the bear, according to NBC.

Officials told NBC News that Petronino was in the cave with the bear for an estimated 80 minutes from the time of the 911 call to his rescue.

Eventually, the bear emerged from the cave and a dog that was with the group barked and scared it off before the bear ran up a hillside, NBC reported.

Once the bear left, Petronino followed behind it and then called 911 to give authorities a better description of their location.

Using GPS coordinates from the cellphone, authorities were able to locate them.

The scoutmaster, who was reportedly bleeding from his neck, arm and head, was then airlifted to a medical center, NBC reported.

Early Monday, his father Michael Petronino, told NBC his son was in 'bad shape' and that he would have to undergo surgery.

The bear attack occurred only a day following the end of New Jersey's extended bear hunting season, according to NBC.