An unusually large brown bear weighing 330 kilograms for spring. This is footage of the giant bear filmed on the 27th. The entire tense incident is captured. [TV Asahi NEWS]
Although it is only April, an unusual number of bear sightings have occurred. Following a police officer, a member of the Self-Defense Forces was also attacked by a bear. The bears have been seen wandering around in people’s yards and roaming freely in residential areas. Despite it being only April, an unusual number of bear sightings have occurred. In Akita Prefecture, the number of sightings has reached a record high of 260 this month alone.
There have also been cases of people being attacked. “A bear bitten my left wrist,” reported a member of the Ground Self-Defense Force. The man, in his 30s, was attacked by a bear at a training ground in Fukushima Prefecture the day before yesterday. He was bitten on the arm and wrist, but his life is not in danger. The soldier was attacked after fighting a forest fire. Furthermore, in Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, a police officer was seriously injured while searching for a missing person. Also, just a few dozen meters away, a woman’s body was discovered.
Police believe it is highly likely that she was attacked by a bear. According to the Ministry of the Environment, there have been no cases of people being killed by Asiatic black bears in April in the last 10 years. In light of this situation, Iwate Prefecture issued a “warning regarding bear sightings” the day before yesterday. This is the first time a warning has been issued in April. Warnings have also been issued earlier than ever before in Aomori and Akita prefectures. Why are bears emerging from hibernation appearing in populated areas so early?
Associate Professor Takayoshi Yamauchi of Iwate University says, “It is said that there are quite a few bears that have learned to eat human-derived food, and these individuals are quite accustomed to humans.” He also points out that it is possible that the bears’ hibernation dens are gradually moving closer to populated areas. So, what are the characteristics of bear dens? This is footage taken by a hunter from the Iwate Prefecture Hunting Association. Looking into a hollow in a tree several meters above the ground, a bear can be seen. Associate Professor Takayoshi Yamauchi of Iwate University: “Basically, bears hibernate in holes in old trees deep in the mountains, or in gaps between rocks.
They don’t dig holes to hibernate, but use naturally available spaces. They prefer places with narrow entrances and wide interiors. They might even get in if the gap is about 30 centimeters.” There were also bear claw marks inside the den. Furthermore, this is a den where a mother bear and her cub are believed to have spent the winter in the past. Associate Professor Takayoshi Yamauchi of Iwate University: “They are said to come out around Golden Week. The mother becomes aggressive to protect her cub. If you see such an individual, do not approach it.” With Golden Week approaching, there will be more opportunities to go out. More caution against bears than ever before is necessary. ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website
