A bear described by local authorities as unusually intelligent remains at large in the Japanese city of Sapporo, having injured four people in a series of attacks that have prompted an advisory role for British wildlife experts. The animal, a 200-kilogram brown bear, has evaded capture for five days, displaying behaviour that officials say suggests a high degree of problem-solving ability.
The bear first entered the urban area on Tuesday, reportedly breaking into a supermarket and then a residential home, where it attacked two elderly residents. Two more people were injured on Thursday when the bear, now the focus of a large-scale police operation, emerged in a park. Local media have dubbed the animal 'Ninja Bear' due to its ability to avoid traps and patrols.
In a rare move, the Hokkaido prefectural government has sought advice from British wildlife specialists at the University of Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. Dr. James Martin, a senior researcher, said: 'This bear is exhibiting levels of adaptability and foresight that are unusual for its species. It is avoiding human patrol routes, disabling simple traps, and using cover effectively. Standard capture methods have failed, so we are now focusing on a more subtle approach using bait and scent to guide it into a larger, more secure enclosure.'
The advisory group has recommended a strategy of 'directed movement', using a combination of food rewards and aversive stimuli to steer the bear away from residential areas and towards a pre-prepared capture site. Police have been instructed to maintain a wide perimeter and avoid direct confrontation, which could cause the bear to become defensive or aggressive.
Local residents have been advised to stay indoors, with schools closed in affected districts. The city's mayor, Katsuhiro Akimoto, has faced criticism for the length of time the operation has taken. 'We are dealing with a situation without clear precedent,' he said at a press conference. 'We are grateful for the international expertise being provided.'
However, some animal welfare groups have expressed concern about the use of British specialists, questioning whether the bear's behaviour has been correctly interpreted. 'Bears are intelligent animals, but we must be cautious not to anthropomorphize them,' said Dr. Yuki Tanaka of the Japan Wildlife Conservation Society. 'The focus should be on ensuring a safe outcome for both the public and the bear.'
The capture operation is expected to conclude within 48 hours, with a tranquiliser dart team on standby. If successful, the bear will be relocated to a national park far from population centres. For now, Sapporo remains a city on edge, its citizens watching for a creature that seems to have learned more from humans than humans have from it.
