Japanese city captures black bear after multiday hunt

Lead

A black bear that terrorized the Japanese city of Utsunomiya for four days was captured on Tuesday, ending a dramatic multi-day search that involved helicopters, drones, police, and hunters. The bear, estimated to weigh about 100 kilograms, was sedated with a tranquilizer gun, loaded into a cage, and driven away, according to multiple reports.

The bear was first spotted on Saturday evening in Utsunomiya, a city of about half a million people roughly 100 kilometers north of Tokyo, forcing the closure of all 94 public primary and middle schools. The city also urged residents to lock doors and windows, and deployed public address vehicles to alert locals.

Coverage Comparison

Reports of the capture were consistent across multiple outlets, including Al Jazeera, BBC, Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, Jerusalem Post, and South China Morning Post. While all sources confirmed the bear's capture and the school closures, details varied: some reports noted the bear was seen swimming in a river and climbing fences, while others mentioned that a possible second bear prompted schools to remain closed on Wednesday. The Guardian reported that a bear sighting in the nearby city of Iwaki also led to school suspensions.

Key Claims

• Bear captured in Utsunomiya: The bear was captured on Tuesday after a multi-day search, according to reports from BBC, Deutsche Welle, Jerusalem Post, and others. Officials took about an hour and 40 minutes to sedate the animal after it was located about 2.5 kilometers south of the main railway station.

• School closures: All 94 public schools in Utsunomiya were closed due to the bear sighting, as reported by The Guardian, South China Morning Post, and Jerusalem Post. Schools remained closed on Wednesday due to a report of a possible second bear, according to Reuters.

• Bear attacks and casualties: Japan recorded a record 238 bear attack casualties, including 13 deaths, in fiscal 2025, according to the environment ministry, as reported by BBC and Jerusalem Post. This figure was confirmed by multiple sources.

• Government task force: The Japanese government established a ministerial task force earlier this year to address the rise in bear attacks, as reported by BBC and confirmed by other outlets.

• Bear population estimates: Japan's bear population is estimated at around 57,800, having tripled since 2012, according to multiple reports. However, The Guardian cited a lower estimate of between 12,000 and 42,000 Asiatic black bears on Honshu island, reflecting uncertainty in population data.

Perspectives

Rise in bear encounters: Authorities and experts attribute the increase in bear sightings and attacks to various factors, including climate change affecting food sources and a decline in hunting. The Guardian and Deutsche Welle both highlighted these factors, while others focused on the immediate response.

Fukushima bear still at large: A separate bear in Fukushima, described as "extremely intelligent" by the mayor, attacked four people last week and remains at large. BBC and Deutsche Welle reported that efforts to tranquilize it have been unsuccessful, and the bear reportedly escaped from a factory by unlocking a window.

Public safety response: The closure of schools and the deployment of helicopters and drones reflect a heightened concern among authorities about bear encounters in urban areas. Some reports noted that bear sightings nationwide have topped 50,000 in the past year, more than double the previous record, according to official data.