Bears Encroaching On Our Living Quarters

This summer, the abnormal heat wave and unexpected bear attacks have been the headlines. We did not know that bears are active in summer. Are they?  Bears hibernate in the autumn to conserve energy to survive adverse weather conditions or lack of food. Bears are supposed to be in the deep mountains. However, bears have recently appeared in the suburbs of Tokyo.

What's truly alarming is the fact that bears are encroaching into our living spaces, such as junior high schools, golf grounds, parks, and orchards, in search of food. Their presence in these areas, where we go about our daily lives, is a cause for concern and has left many of us feeling uneasy.

According to the stats by the Environmental Agency, 55 cases of human attack occurred from April to July, and one case caused death in August. These incidents, where humans were the victims, have stirred up a wave of empathy and concern among the public.

The municipal governments were obliged to exterminate some bears that killed people. After that, they received several calls complaining about the extermination. Some say, "Don't kill," from the people who protect animals. Others say, "Exterminate them."

The conflicting opinions stem from a variety of factors, including concerns for animal welfare, fear for public safety, and the need to protect local wildlife. Some staff members received abuse and personal attacks over the phone for several hours. The municipal staff must have struggled to cope with the opposite opinions.