Bears have taken a popular spot in a number of animated classic features and cartoons, with Yogi Bear and his ever-loyal sidekick Boo boo, being among the most famous and popular.
First appearing as a supporting character in the Hanna-Barbera produced The Huckleberry Hound Show in 1958, Yogi eventually got to have his own show which eventually came out with a string of supporting characters like Boo Boo, Cindy Bear and Ranger Smith.
To the tune of most cartoon personalities of the time, Yogi’s personality was based on the personality on the Ed Norton character of The Honeymooners.
As a bear, his penchant for “stealing picnic baskets” is very well established, one which has played a pivotal role in the development of the series central plot. Bears, in real life, are notorious for “raiding” the food supplies of campers or natural park picnickers, but this “bear aspect” isn’t driven by the mischief and hunger drives which motivate Yogi.
Hunger remains to be the main motivation why bears often raid picnic baskets and such, oftentimes causing fear and distress among picnickers.
Generally, bears don’t attack people unless they are provoked, and as natural creatures, they are known to use their massive size to intimidate, rather than to attack. Feeding the bears in national parks are not a good idea, since this would only encourage them to frequent designated picnic areas and facilities.
Should you ever find yourself in a natural park picnic situation, verify the presence of bears in a given zone/area with park rangers before spreading your picnic blanket. Though most designated picnic areas are fenced to keep bears out, there’s the off chance of a bear managing to find a way in, which would result to a “Yogi bear” scenario, where picnic baskets get swiped.
Bears Video
