The Shift in Perception of Bears: From Threatening to Vulnerable

The teddy bear introduced a new perception of bears as sweet and cuddly. Characters like Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear further solidified this image. The Care Bears reinforced the idea of bears as friendly companions. In cities, bears are now seen as creatures to be pitied and protected. The fear now is not of bears themselves, but of their extinction. We have become responsible for the well-being of once mighty creatures like bears.