Japan is experiencing an epidemic of bear attacks. After a record number of these attacks have been fatal, instead of learning about bears, officials are seeking bear hunters. So far this year, bear attacks have led to 12 deaths nationwide. This shocking figure is the deadliest since we began tracking these deaths in 2006. Environmental justice advocates, government officials and residents alike should be alarmed by a dangerous trend. As bear populations increase and move into urban environments, this creates serious risks for all parties.
Bear encounters have increased more than seven-fold in Akita Prefecture. Just this year already, we’re hearing about close to 8,000 reported encounters with these creatures. This figure is a jaw-dropping six times increase from just a year ago. Local officials say they’re seeing this type of increase because of three main reasons. With an expanding bear population and climate disruption putting pressure on habitats, that barrier is cracking.
Rising Bear Populations
Black bears live all throughout Japan, and can be as large as 140 kilograms. Their brown bear population on the most northerly island of Hokkaido is booming, with around 12,000 bears. These beautiful giants can weigh over 880 pounds! Notably, Japan’s population of black bears has tripled since 2012 as he’s seen their numbers soar to over 44,000.
That sharp rise in population has led to increased conflicts with people, as bears and humans come into contact more often. When bears go in search of food and territory, they frequently venture into suburban areas, resulting in deadly encounters. Minoru Kihara, a prominent local official, emphasized the seriousness of the situation:
“This is a serious situation that threatens the safety and security of the public.”
Government Response and Community Measures
The governor of Japan’s Akita Prefecture has unique plans to mitigate the growing bear vs. human clash of cultures. They’ve made emergency requests for military assistance to further cull the growing bear population. This extreme step taken by resort managers underscores the severity of this crisis. In short, local resources are stretched thin as bears are encroaching and increasing human/bear encounters at an alarming rate.
Even more unexpected, some of our small, rural towns have pursued creative ways to keep bears away. One Japanese town has taken to a new, high-tech system of robot wolves to keep these creatures out of populated areas. Local officials like Kenta Suzuki express concern over the exhaustion of current measures:
“Exhaustion on the ground is reaching its limit.”
This feeling is prevalent across the country as communities are faced with issues of public safety and the environmental concerns of culling initiatives.
The Human Cost of Bear Encounters
Bear attacks this year are up dramatically, more than a mere statistical blip. This troubling trend underscores the need for a renewed approach to wildlife management. The fatalities recorded since April indicate a dramatic increase over previous years, with this year’s total being four times higher than last year’s fatalities.
Experts warn that an increasing number of bears entering residential areas leads to a rise in casualties and property damage. One wildlife specialist noted:
“An increasing number of bears have been entering residential areas in many regions this year … leading to a rise in the number of casualties, with more diversity in the extent of damage and across a wider area.”
With bear populations on the rise, conflicts with human activities are on the rise. This predicament poses a permanent dilemma for state and federal wildlife managers and local jurisdictions.
