A wandering bear in a Japanese city north of Tokyo caused panic, leading to the closure of nearly all 100 schools on Monday and Tuesday. The bear was first sighted near a park in Utsunomiya on Saturday, prompting dozens of reports from residents across the city, including libraries, schools, and community centers.
City officials issued warnings via social media and dispatched vehicles to urge people to shelter indoors if they encountered the bear and to secure their homes against nocturnal intruders. On Tuesday afternoon, the bear was tranquilized by a veterinarian on private property, with no injuries reported. A drone tracked the animal down earlier in the day at a university campus, causing class cancellations.
City official Ryuhei Irie stated there was likely only one bear but that officials are investigating to ensure safety. Issei Okabe, a local painter, expressed relief upon hearing his home was featured in footage of the bear’s capture. The incident highlights Japan’s expanding bear population in areas with declining human populations due to an aging demographic and climate change.
Last week, another bear attacked four people in Fukushima, causing moderate injuries, before evading capture. In March, the Japanese government estimated the country’s overall bear population at around 57,800, with officials adopting a culling plan for systematic management. Last year saw a record 13 fatalities from bear attacks and an increase in sightings as bears emerged hungry from hibernation, thriving on abundant food sources influenced by climate change.