A black bear that terrorised a residential area in northern Japan for nearly a week was tranquillised and captured by local authorities on Wednesday, bringing an end to a search operation that had drawn national attention.
The animal, believed to be a young male weighing approximately 150 kilogrammes, was first spotted on the outskirts of the city of Naha in Hokkaido prefecture on 15 April. It subsequently entered a suburban neighbourhood, where it overturned bins, raided a vegetable garden and damaged a car. No human injuries were reported.
Local police, wildlife officers and a specialist team from the Ministry of the Environment conducted the operation, using bait traps and drones equipped with thermal imaging. The bear was located in a wooded area near a school, which had been temporarily closed as a precaution.
“The animal was in good health and has been taken to a separate location for assessment,” said Takeshi Yamada, a spokesman for the Hokkaido regional government. “We will decide its fate in accordance with wildlife management protocols.”
The incident reignited debate about human-wildlife conflict in Japan, where bear sightings have increased in recent years as urban sprawl encroaches on natural habitats. According to government data, bear-related incidents rose by 30 per cent in the past decade, with six fatalities recorded in 2023.
“This was a rare case of a bear lingering in a populated area for such an extended period,” said Dr. Keiko Sato, a zoologist at Hokkaido University. “It likely became disoriented and stressed, which is unusual for a black bear.”
Local residents expressed relief at the resolution but remained cautious. “We are glad it is over, but we must learn to coexist with these animals,” said Miki Tanaka, a mother of two who lives near the capture site.
Authorities plan to release the bear into a remote forest reserve, pending health checks. The operation cost an estimated ¥5 million, or roughly £26,000, which will be covered by the prefectural government.
