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The Guardian World1 min read
Black bear caught in Japan after days of sightings
TL;DR
Japanese authorities captured a black bear in Utsunomiya after several days of sightings. The bear was sedated following multiple tranquilizer shots, while another bear in Fukushima remains at large amid rising bear encounters.
Key points
- Black bear captured in Utsunomiya after days of sightings
- Authorities used tranquilizer guns to sedate the bear
- Another bear in Fukushima is still evading capture
- Record 238 bear attack victims reported in 2025
- Capture took officials 1 hour and 40 minutes
Mentioned in this story
UtsunomiyaFukushima
black bear
Japanese authorities have sedated and captured a black bear, days after it was spotted roaming around a city near Tokyo.
A veterinarian fired a tranquiliser gun at the bear in Utsunomiya, home to half a million people, but missed the first shot. A second was fired about 15 minutes later, followed by a third.
Another "extremely intelligent" bear filmed chasing people in Fukushima is still evading officials, as Japan deals with a rise in bear encounters.
Attacks reached record levels in 2025, with 238 bear attack victims reported to the environment ministry, including 13 deaths.
It took officials an hour and 40 minutes to capture the bear after identifying its location about 2.5km south of the main railway station on Tuesday, according to Utsunomiya East Police.
The bear, believed to weigh around 100kg, had been spotted by residents more than 20 times since Saturday - near homes, schools, and parks. It was also seen swimming in a river, and climbing over fences across backyards.
The unprecedented sighting forced the closure of all 94 public primary and middle schools. Officials said there were possibly two bears in the city and urged residents to keep their doors and windows locked.
Last week, another bear attacked and injured four people in a residential district of Fukushima city. That bear is yet to be caught after attempts to tranquilise it were unsuccessful. It broke into an electronics factory, but surprised police who had surrounded the building after reportedly escaping by unlocking a window.
The Fukushima mayor said officials also saw the bear drinking water from a tap, adding it may have turned the handle itself, and describing it as being "extremely intelligent."
A search for the bear using drones has been launched.
Earlier this year, the Japanese government established a ministerial task force and introduced emergency response measures to address the rise in bear attacks and reduce casualties.
Local governments and companies are increasingly turning to technology for solutions.
A village in Fukushima prefecture is weighing the use of an AI-powered image analysis system for trail cameras, while KDDI SmartDrone says its unmanned aircraft system can help municipalities track bears without training. The drones are equipped with thermal cameras , and can follow bears through dense vegetation until hunters or police arrive.
Other companies are also developing unique deterrents. In 2016, Ohta Seiki introduced the "Super Monster Wolf," a solar-powered robotic wolf designed to scare away bears and other wildlife. The company says it has already received dozens of orders in 2026, exceeding its usual demand in a typical year.
Q&A
What led to the capture of the black bear in Utsunomiya?
The capture was prompted by multiple sightings of the bear roaming the city, leading authorities to sedate it after several attempts.
How many bear attacks were reported in Japan in 2025?
In 2025, Japan reported a record 238 bear attack victims, including 13 fatalities.
Why are bear encounters increasing in Japan?
Bear encounters in Japan are rising due to various factors, including habitat loss and increased bear populations, leading to more interactions with humans.
