"A record 13 people have died in bear attacks in Japan since the start of April, according to the environment ministry, while the number of attacks in that period stands at 197 another record. Many of the incidents occurred in Akita, a northern prefecture, followed by Iwate and Fukushima in Japan's north-east. The number in 2025 will almost certainly exceed the annual record of 219 attacks set in the year starting April 2024."
"Experts say hungry bears are venturing into residential and other built-up areas in search of food after poor crops of acorns and beechnuts in their natural habitat. In response, the government has sent members of the self-defence forces to Akita to help local hunters trap and dispose of bears. Armed police officers have also been given permission to shoot the animals amid a shortage of licensed hunters."
An attack occurred in a public toilet in Gunma prefecture where a 1-1.5 metres long bear peered inside and assaulted a 69-year-old security guard, who fought the animal off by kicking and sustained minor leg injuries before reporting the incident. A record 13 people have died in bear attacks since April, with 197 attacks recorded in the period, concentrated in Akita, Iwate and Fukushima. Poor acorn and beechnut crops have driven hungry bears into residential and built-up areas seeking food. The government deployed self-defence force members to assist local hunters in trapping and disposing of bears, and authorised armed police to shoot animals amid a shortage of licensed hunters. A local government deleted an AI-generated social media image posted to promote awareness after discovering the image was not authentic.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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