Watch: Woman says cute bear did her 'dirty' after charging at her
Bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are wild, and their behavior can be unpredictable. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death.
Bear charges at woman after she calls it 'so cute'
A woman who praised a bear for being cute while on vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, did not get the response she expected as the bear charged straight at her, leaving her to make a quick retreat.
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – It was an un-bear-able visit one Tennessee tourist won't likely ever forget.
While Illet Al Junaidi praised a bear for being cute while on vacation in Pigeon Forge, the animal did her "so dirty," she said. The woman posted a video on TikTok on Oct. 13 from a 2020 visit to the Great Smoky Mountains with her husband.
BLACK BEAR ATTACKS 10-YEAR-OLD BOY IN CONNECTICUT BACKYARD
"Hi cutie! Why are you so cute?" she says in the video as she greets the bear standing behind a gate in front of her cabin.
"I decided to go say, ‘hi,' because he seemed nice, but that was not the case," she said. "As soon as I got comfortable, he charged at me."
A woman who praised a bear for being cute while on vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, did not get the response she expected as the bear charged straight at her, leaving her to make a quick retreat.
(Illet Al Junaidi via Storyful)
"Oh, hell no!" a scared Al Junaidi screams as she runs back into her cabin.
She said didn’t go out for the rest of her four-day trip after the incident.
400-POUND BEAR FOUND UNDER DECK OF COLORADO HOME
Bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are wild, and their behavior can be unpredictable, the National Parks Service said. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death.
"Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground," the park service said. "The bear is demanding more space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Increase the distance between you and the bear.
If you follow these steps, the bear will probably do the same, officials said.