SAPPORO, Oct 12 (News On Japan) –
As bear sightings in Hokkaido’s city areas surge past expectations, Tamaki Yasuo, head of the brown bear management unit of the Hokkaido Hunters’ Association’s Sapporo department, warns that the scenario is changing into more and more tough to handle and that people can’t predict what may set off a bear to panic.
With acorns, wild grapes, and different key meals sources scarce this 12 months, bears have been drawn to residential areas the place chestnuts and walnuts stay, resulting in persistent sightings in Sapporo’s Nishi Ward. On September 26, a person was attacked in Heiwa Hill Park, and on October 8 and 9, bears have been once more noticed lingering and feeding in residential districts.
Tamaki notes that whereas the bears concerned now seem extra composed than the one which attacked 4 folks in 2021, their unpredictable habits nonetheless poses severe dangers, particularly since firing weapons in populated areas is extraordinarily delicate. He stresses the necessity to take into account inhabitants management as a part of a long-term answer and urges residents to keep away from dangerous actions resembling mountaineering or strolling at daybreak or night time whereas bear alerts stay in impact. If confronted by a bear, consultants advocate remaining calm, retreating slowly if distant, or elevating arms and talking gently to sign human presence if nearer, whereas searching for substantial cowl. However, Tamaki emphasizes that the most effective technique is to take care of a secure distance and keep away from encounters altogether.
Source: 北海道ニュースUHB