Black bear caught in Japan after days of sightings

A black bear was captured in Utsunomiya, Japan, on March 18, 2024, following several days of sightings in the city. This capture occurs amid a significant surge in bear-related incidents across Japan, which have reached record highs. In the fiscal year 2023, Japan recorded 119 bear attacks, resulting in 6 deaths and 152 injuries. This figure surpasses the previous record of 117 attacks in fiscal year 2020. The Japanese government has allocated approximately ¥10 billion ($66 million) in supplementary budget funds to address the escalating bear problem. These funds are intended to support measures such as installing bear-proof fences, developing early warning systems, and implementing bear deterrents. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported that as of March 15, 2024, 15,000 bears had been culled nationwide in fiscal year 2023, a substantial increase from the 10,000 culled in fiscal year 2022. The government is also exploring strategies to manage bear populations and reduce human-wildlife conflict, including encouraging local governments to establish bear management plans and promoting the use of non-lethal deterrents.