What's behind a surge in bear attacks in Japan?

"Since April this year, at least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 have been injured in bear attacks in the country, according to an October report by the Ministry of Environment. The ministry added that the death toll is the highest since Japan began keeping records of bear attacks in 2006. list of 3 itemsend of list Japan is home to big brown bears, which can weigh more than 450kg (1,000 pounds) and live in the country's Hokkaido region,"

"Asiatic bear attacks are more frequent, but brown bear attacks are more dangerous. Shota Mochizuki, associate professor at Fukushima University, told Al Jazeera: This is largely because black bears are widely distributed across Honshu and Shikoku, where many people live, while brown bears inhabit only Hokkaido, resulting in fewer opportunities for encounters with humans. However, attacks by brown bears are far more severe."

Since April, at least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in bear attacks, the highest death toll since record-keeping began in 2006. Hokkaido hosts large brown bears that can exceed 450 kg, while the mainland contains Asiatic black (Moon) bears weighing 80–200 kg. Black bears are more frequently involved in attacks because they are widely distributed near populated areas; brown bear attacks are rarer but typically far more severe. Authorities have deployed the military and are using drone-based alert and surveillance systems to track bears and protect residents, with northern prefectures worst affected.

Read at www.aljazeera.com