A bear described as “extremely intelligent” is evading capture in Japan after injuring four people, with British zoo experts now offering advice on how to trap the animal. The bear, believed to be a male Asian black bear, has been roaming residential areas in the city of Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido since last week, triggering a citywide alert. Local authorities have set up traps and conducted patrols, but the bear has outsmarted every attempt, reportedly avoiding bait and dismantling traps.
British experts from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland have been consulted, suggesting the use of scent lures and non-lethal tranquiliser darts. The bear’s intelligence, they say, requires a more sophisticated approach than standard capture methods. The situation has raised concerns among residents, with schools closed and outdoor activities cancelled.
The bear’s behaviour is unusual, as it appears to be deliberately avoiding humans while still causing havoc. This incident highlights the challenges of human-wildlife conflict in urban fringe areas, a growing issue in Japan as bear populations recover and expand into human settlements.
