Key facts
- A wild black bear was captured in Utsunomiya, Japan, after a multi-day search.
Utsunomiya, Japan, captured a wild black bear after a multi-day search that led to the closure of 94 schools for two days. A report of a possible second bear prompted a third day of closures. Bear attacks have significantly increased in Japan.
The incident highlights a growing problem of human-wildlife conflict in Japan, driven by factors like climate change and rural depopulation, which is impacting public safety and daily life in urban areas.
The Japanese city of Utsunomiya captured a wild black bear on Tuesday after a dramatic multi-day search that gripped the nation, leading to school closures and urging residents to stay indoors. All 94 municipal primary and middle schools were closed for a second straight day on Tuesday and remained closed on Wednesday due to a report of a possible second bear roaming the city. The adult bear, estimated to weigh about 100 kg (220 lbs), was eventually tranquilized with a dart gun and removed by authorities. Bear attacks have been on the rise in Japan, with a record 238 casualties reported in fiscal year 2025, including 13 deaths. Experts attribute the increase in bear activity to climate change reducing natural food sources and rural depopulation, leading bears to seek nourishment near human settlements. Three schools in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, also suspended classes due to a bear sighting.