YAMAGATA –
A bear was seen strolling brazenly via a residential avenue in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, on the morning of July 3, showing in a preferred scorching spring space with a historical past of 1,200 years that pulls many vacationers.
The bear appeared in a nook of the vacationer district, startling residents at shut vary. An individual who filmed the scene stated the encounter occurred whereas taking a daughter to nursery faculty. “When I put my daughter in the child seat, she said, ‘Ah! A bear,’ and when I turned around, it crossed right in front of us. It was within about 5 meters. I was surprised it was walking that close,” the individual stated.
Bears are actually in the midst of their breeding season, and their vary is increasing as they seek for meals.
In Towada, Aomori Prefecture, a bear was recorded on July 2 sniffing a set digital camera as if checking whether or not it was meals. The footage was captured by Takabuchi, who observes wild animals. He stated the situation was about 1.5 kilometers from his house and near the world the place he takes walks.
Hideo Takabuchi, head of the Tohoku Giant Tree Survey Research Group, stated he has by no means seen a bear immediately however that they’re typically captured by cameras. “They always come close to the camera. The footage shows them acting cautiously so they do not encounter humans. I think they are very smart,” he stated.
As bears transfer nearer to areas the place folks dwell, their intelligence is changing into a serious concern for hunters.
Footage reveals a big brown bear approaching a field entice and exhibiting curiosity in bait inside. The bear gently touches the entice with a entrance paw, then rapidly pulls away, making actions that clearly recommend warning, nearly as if it understands the hazard.
The footage of the bear, believed to weigh greater than 200 kilograms, was filmed round autumn 2025 in Nishiokoppe, a village in northern Hokkaido.
Shinichi Nakahara, head of the Nishiokoppe department of the native hunters’ affiliation, stated the animals are crafty and very smart. “They are crafty, or rather, smart. They learn, so if they have had an experience before, they are not likely to go into a trap,” Nakahara stated.
In the summer time of the identical yr, one other bear, believed to be a distinct particular person, appeared in a area of feed corn. After approaching an electrical fence, the bear started digging a gap. It then used the outlet to rapidly move underneath the fence, suggesting it might have discovered how the electrical barrier works.
The footage additionally confirmed two cubs watching the conduct.
“The cubs follow the parent as it goes under, so the cubs learn too,” Nakahara stated. “If they touch the electric fence, about 7,000 volts run through it, so it hurts. I think they understand the fear of it.”
After coming into the sector, the bear emerged once more about two and a half hours later, slipping again underneath the electrical fence and disappearing.
Another bear drew consideration in June after attacking 4 folks and barricading itself inside a manufacturing facility in Fukushima City. Witnesses stated the bear turned a water faucet to drink. It was additionally reported to have unlocked a window by itself, slid open the glass and escaped.
In Nishiokoppe, sightings of sensible bears proceed. Because they’re extremely cautious, hunters haven’t but been in a position to seize even one bear in a field entice this season.
“With traps, bears are becoming harder to catch because they are learning,” Nakahara stated. “We have to think carefully about what bait to use and how to scatter it.”
The battle of wits between hunters and sensible bears is constant.
Source: FNN