IWATE, Feb 27 (News On Japan) –
Although February is usually the peak of the hibernation season, bears have already been sighted throughout Japan, elevating considerations of one other wave of lethal encounters.
On February twelfth, at a time when bears are usually nonetheless hibernating, a single bear believed to be an Asian black bear was seen strolling throughout a snowy mountain in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
According to the Nature Conservation Center that filmed the animal, bear sightings within the space normally start round mid-March, that means the bear appeared roughly one month sooner than regular.
On February thirteenth in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, one other bear was noticed. During efforts by an area looking affiliation to drive it away utilizing fireworks, one male member was attacked and injured.
Further north, on February twenty fourth, a bear was additionally seen at Shunkunitai in Nemuro, Hokkaido. At round 8 a.m., photographers who had gathered to seize photographs of untamed birds observed a single bear strolling within the distance close to the lake.
One witness mentioned: “We saw something black moving. When I quickly brought my camera over to check, it was a bear walking. It’s unusual for this time of year.”
The space is called a well-liked vacation spot for hen photographers, and one other sighting had reportedly occurred the earlier afternoon.
Amid the rising encounters, Hokkaido has already recorded a report variety of brown bear captures. In fiscal 2025, the variety of captured bears reached 2,013 as of the tip of January, surpassing the earlier excessive of 1,804 recorded in fiscal 2023.
In the Kanto area as properly, two bear sightings have been reported on February twenty third alongside a riverbed in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.
Why are sightings occurring so steadily regardless of the hibernation season?
Takanori Yamauchi, affiliate professor on the Faculty of Agriculture at Iwate University, mentioned: “This is normally a period when bears are hibernating, so sightings at this time are extremely rare. It is an abnormal situation not seen in typical years. The end of hibernation is said to be strongly influenced by rising temperatures and snowmelt. If spring arrives earlier, bears may awaken sooner than we expect.”
Yamauchi added that nuts and different meals sources within the mountains haven’t but absolutely developed, elevating the chance that bears could descend into residential areas in quest of meals, and he urged the general public to stay cautious.
Source: FNN