HOKKAIDO, Apr 29 (News On Japan) –
A collection of sightings involving unusually massive brown bears in Hokkaido has heightened considerations amongst native residents, with one 330-kilogram animal captured in Tomamae and one other 280-kilogram bear attacking a hunter in Shimamaki.
The bigger bear was trapped within the Nagashima district of Tomamae, a city in northern Hokkaido surrounded by fields of wheat and dent corn. Video footage confirmed the animal lunging towards observers, roaring repeatedly and slamming its physique towards the cage.
Despite having solely not too long ago emerged from hibernation, the male bear measured about 2.2 meters in size and appeared closely constructed. It was culled on April 27.
Members of the native looking affiliation mentioned they’d by no means seen such a big bear in spring.
Tomamae additionally struggled with repeated bear appearances in 2025, when seven bears had been culled, together with one estimated to weigh round 400 kilograms. Authorities consider extra bears stay within the surrounding space this yr, maintaining residents on alert.
In a separate incident on April 26, a 69-year-old hunter was injured whereas collaborating in a spring bear cull in Shimamaki, within the Shiribeshi area.
The man had entered the mountains with fellow hunters and two bears had already been killed when one other animal all of a sudden appeared above a ravine. After being shot, the bear rolled downhill and landed on the hunter, pinning him beneath its physique.
Other hunters mentioned they waited for a secure second earlier than firing once more, making an attempt to keep away from hitting the person. He suffered accidents to his head and face however survived. The bear was later killed and weighed about 280 kilograms.
The emergence of such heavy bears after winter has prompted questions, significantly after poor nut harvests in 2025 had been blamed for pushing bears nearer to cities.
Yoshikazu Sato, a professor at Rakuno Gakuen University, mentioned the animals possible consumed agricultural crops similar to dent corn earlier than hibernation, permitting them to construct adequate fats reserves no matter meals shortages within the mountains.
Bears usually lose 20% to 30% of their physique weight throughout hibernation, Sato mentioned, suggesting the Tomamae bear might have weighed greater than 400 kilograms earlier than winter.
Sato expects meals situations within the mountains to enhance in 2026, noting that acorn and nut yields usually fluctuate on a yearly cycle. If pure meals provides recuperate, bear incursions into populated areas might ease.
Still, he warned towards complacency. Bears which have discovered to feed in farmland and orchards might proceed to develop bigger and reproduce efficiently.
He urged municipalities to strengthen measures similar to fencing round farms and orchards, whereas creating sustainable programs to fund long-term prevention efforts throughout 2026.
With extra folks getting into mountain areas through the spring wild vegetable selecting season, officers are calling for continued warning and thorough bear security measures.
Source: News UBH