A Japanese brown bear described by authorities as “extremely intelligent” remains at large in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido after attacking four people over the weekend. British wildlife experts have offered analysis on the animal’s behaviour and the challenges of capture.
The bear, estimated to weigh 150 kilograms, first appeared on Saturday in a residential area of Sapporo, where it injured a woman in her 70s. Subsequent encounters left three more people hospitalised, including a farmer and a hiker. Local police, equipped with tranquiliser darts and shotguns, have established a cordon but have failed to locate the animal.
Dr. Sarah Thompson, a senior researcher at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology, said the bear’s evasiveness suggests a high level of adaptive intelligence. “Bears are not typically known for sustained avoidance of human pursuit,” she told The Times. “This individual appears to be using urban cover and changing its pattern of movement, which indicates cognitive flexibility. It is learning from its encounters.”
Professor James Aldridge, a wildlife management specialist at Oxford University, concurred. “The term ‘extremely intelligent’ is unusual for official statements but probably reflects the bear’s ability to exploit gaps in the containment strategy,” he said. “Brown bears have excellent memory and can associate specific locations with danger or reward. If it has had prior negative experiences with humans, it may become more cautious, but also more aggressive if cornered.”
Japanese authorities have deployed drones and thermal imaging to track the bear, but heavy fog and dense forest in parts of Sapporo have hampered efforts. Officials have warned residents to stay indoors and have suspended school outdoor activities.
The incident has revived debate about human-wildlife conflict in Japan, where bear populations are recovering after near-extinction in the early 20th century. The Ministry of the Environment records an average of 150 bear attacks annually, with most occurring in rural areas. Urban encroachment has led to more frequent encounters, as bears expand their range into suburban habitats.
British experts emphasised that lethal measures should be a last resort. “Non-lethal deterrence and relocation are preferable, but they require precise timing and coordination,” said Dr. Thompson. “Tranquilisation in an urban setting is risky. A partially sedated bear can cover considerable distance before the drug takes full effect, potentially endangering more people.”
As of Monday evening, the bear had not been sighted for 12 hours, raising fears that it may have moved into a new district. The search continues.
