Few interactions in the natural world are at once terrifying, adorable, and funny all at the same time. Certainly, there’s nothing lovable about a great white shark (if you disagree, let us know; we’d be fascinated to hear), and there’s not much that’s funny about a rattlesnake. But bear encounters straddle that line handily.
I know we shouldn’t admit it, that it’s an open secret to which no one wants to fess up unless they end up looking like the kind of clueless tourist who asks Park Rangers when they’re going to let he bears out so they can see them, but: bears are cute as hell! You should NEVER EVER approach a bear, let alone give them a big warm hug, but COME ON. Just look at this guy:
