A bear that has been described as 'extremely intelligent' is on the loose in Japan. British zoologists have been drafted in to help with the hunt. The animal, a male brown bear, escaped from a wildlife park in Hokkaido on Monday.
It is believed to be the same bear that evaded capture for three days last year. The bear has a habit of breaking into food storage sheds and avoiding traps. Japanese authorities are struggling to contain it.
A team from the UK's Royal Zoological Society has been flown in to share expertise. 'This bear is not stupid,' said Dr. Helen Freeman, a zoologist on the team.
'It learns from its mistakes. Standard traps don't work. We need to think like the bear.
' The team is using GPS collars and trail cameras to track the bear's movements. The bear is believed to be heading towards rural farmland. Locals have been warned to stay indoors.
The bear has not attacked anyone, but its intelligence is causing concern. 'It is a matter of time before it finds a way into a populated area,' said a police spokesman. The bear's escape has sparked a debate about animal welfare and park security.
The park's owner has faced criticism for poor maintenance. 'This is a failure of management, not the bear,' said Freeman. The UK team is expected to stay until the bear is caught.
This is not the first time British experts have been called in for such a mission. In 2022, they helped track a 'remarkably cunning' wolf in Spain. But the stakes are higher now.
The bear's intelligence is putting it ahead of the game. The team is now considering using drones to guide the bear into a containment area. 'We are in a race against time,' Freeman added.
'But if anyone can outsmart this bear, it's us.
