Akita Prefecture has extended its bear sighting advisory — a warning issued when the animals are appearing near homes — from the end of October to the end of November. Sightings have been trending down, but bears are moving more actively in search of food before hibernation, which is why the period was lengthened.
Takanori Yamauchi, an associate professor at Iwate University's Faculty of Agriculture, said the coming weeks, when bears would normally den, are no time to relax. Some animals have learned that towns hold food, and that habit is spreading through the population.
“The number of individuals that have learned about human settlements and grown used to people has increased, so these individuals come straight out into settlements regardless of whether there is plenty of food in the mountains. An individual that came into town last year or before and learned to eat there may not hibernate at all and could come out into town, so we should be on our guard.”Takanori Yamauchi, associate professor, Iwate University Faculty of Agriculture
Sightings spread across the Kanto region
Bear sightings continued on November 3, a national holiday, across the Kanto region. In Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture there have been at least 80 sightings in the past month, including eight in Akiruno, western Tokyo, since last month. Around 4:30 p.m., footage shot on the Ome Kaido showed what appeared to be a bear running past as a car braked hard; sightings were reported in Ome at about the same time.
At a riverside spot in Akiruno where people were gathered for barbecues, visitors said they were adjusting their plans. One said they wanted to head home before dark in case of an encounter. Another said they pack up before 3 p.m., confirming it was a precaution against bears.
On hiking trails, bear bells have become standard equipment. A hiking course that had been closed because of sightings has reopened, and one man who came back for it carried both a bell and bear spray. He said he knew he had to take precautions, but that he would still panic if a bear appeared in front of him.
A bear returns to town three days after release
In Hadano, Kanagawa Prefecture, a bear captured on the 20th of last month was released deep in the mountains and was back in the city just three days later. It was seen repeatedly after that and was confirmed captured again on the 31st. It was killed because it showed a strong attachment to residential areas and could have harmed people.
A temple near where the bear was found has persimmon trees, a favored food. Its head priest said he could not relax just because the animal had been killed.
“I have to pick the fruit before long. There are still sighting reports from places like Isehara, so it doesn't feel like it's completely over.”Genjun Ito, head priest, Chogenji temple