The other day, Rozalla Radchishin was out for a drive near her home in Asheville, North Carolina, when she happened upon a scene of pure joy — and she just had to stop and watch.
At a playground on the edge of the woods, a furry family was enjoying some wholesome time together. It was a mother bear and her three cubs making the most of the play area, much like a human family might.
As Radchishin looked on, the younger bears darted about in delight, climbing the structure and using its slides under the loving supervision of their watchful parent.
Kids will be kids, it seems, no matter the species.
While moments of play are certainly fun (and fun to witness), scenes like these are about much more than mere amusement.
Horsing around is a critical learning experience for bears and humans alike.
“Bears love to play and wrestle with each other!” writes Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. “Did you know that when they do this, they are actually developing important skills? Wrestling helps bears learn how to balance, coordinate their movements, and become stronger. But that’s not all! When bears wrestle, they also learn how to interact with other bears in a playful and friendly way. This is important because it helps them avoid fights and stay safe in the wild.”
It won’t be long now until this bear family settles in for their winter hibernation. But until then, let the fun go on.