Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Bear attacks have shot up in Japan this year and sightings of the animals have spiked, a trend blamed on climatic changes and shifting land use patterns, officials and media reports said Wednesday.
At least four people were killed and 80 wounded in bear attacks between April and September in the island-nation, much of which is covered in mountain forests, topping last year's total of 64 attacks, said broadcaster NHK.
Some 400 bears were shot dead near human-populated areas by authorised hunters on Japan's far-northern island of Hokkaido alone, where two people were mauled to death by bears earlier this year, a local official said.
In the mountainous central prefecture of Fukushima, northeast of Tokyo, more than 150 bears were shot dead after they encroached on residential areas.
Some wildlife experts have blamed a record heat wave this summer which impacted the omnivores' natural food sources and sent the Asiatic black bears foraging for food in more densely populated farming and residential areas.
"The extremely hot summer and other climatic factors may have led to a shortage of acorns or nuts in woodlands this year," said Tatsuo Sato, an official of the Fukushima prefectural government.
In some areas habitat destruction is blamed for forcing the bears into closer contact with humans. In other parts, farms are being abandoned and reclaimed by nature, reducing buffer zone with the bears' natural habitats.
In the latest reported encounter, police and hunters went on the hunt Wednesday in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto prefecture, after a one-metre (three-foot) tall bear was sighted in a residential area. Noone was injured.
Another bear was hit by a train on Tuesday in Shiga prefecture, central Japan, a railway company official said.
"We should be fully aware that bears are expanding their range into our living areas," said an official in Hokkaido, which is home to 1,800-3,600 bears.
He also offered some safety advice to local residents: "In the unfortunate case of a bear encounter, all we should do is look steadily into its eyes and move away slowly without running".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments