A black bear responsible for a series of attacks in rural Japan has been captured, ending a week-long operation that saw the deployment of police and wildlife officials. The animal, estimated to weigh 150 kilogrammes, was tranquillised on Tuesday evening in the town of Oguni, Yamagata prefecture, after it was cornered near a local school.
Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported during the capture. The bear had been the subject of an intensive search after it injured three people in separate incidents, including an elderly woman who suffered severe lacerations to her arm. Local residents had been advised to remain indoors, with schools closed and community events cancelled.
The operation involved the use of bait traps and heat-seeking drones, reflecting the growing sophistication of wildlife management in Japan. The bear will be euthanised, a standard procedure for animals that have attacked humans and lost their fear of human settlements.
The incident has reignited debate about human-wildlife conflict in Japan, where the expansion of human habitation into forested areas has led to increased encounters with bears. In 2023, a record 212 people were injured in bear attacks across the country, prompting local governments to implement culling programmes and improve early warning systems.
Local authorities have praised the swift response of the capture team and urged residents to remain vigilant. The bear's carcass will be examined to determine if it was suffering from disease or starvation, which may have driven it into populated areas.
