The estimated population of Asiatic black bears in Iwate Prefecture has surged from 3,700 to 5,200 (preliminary figures), according to a prefectural report. This increase is attributed to improved survey methods. The prefecture plans to exceed the initially set capture limit of 796 bears to manage the growing population.
A 67-year-old cyclist in California collided with a black bear on a curvy road near Pinecrest Lake. The man sustained three cracked ribs and a separated shoulder, while the bear fled the scene. Wildlife officials noted such incidents are rare for cyclists.
An adult male Asian black bear was spotted in Amanohashidate, a famous scenic spot in Kyoto, Japan. The bear walked along the sandbar, swam in the sea, and entered a residential area before being tranquilized and captured by authorities. No injuries were reported.
Utsunomiya, Japan closes all 94 schools after a medium-sized black bear is spotted multiple times in the city, prompting a search and warnings for residents.
An 80-year-old woman in Japan's Iwate Prefecture successfully scared off a 1.5-meter black bear that had chased her dog into her home. Using a lint roller as a weapon and shouting at the animal, she managed to deter the bear, which then fled before police arrived.
A black bear injured four people in Fukushima, Japan, on Tuesday. Two employees at Fukushima Steel Works were bitten, followed by a man in his 60s and a woman in her 80s. One victim was seriously wounded, while the others sustained mild injuries. The bear remains at large and is believed to be in a second company building, surrounded by police.
A young male Taiwan black bear, rescued after entering a chicken coop in Hualien, was released back into the wild after six months of care. Named 'Ciang' by tribal elders, symbolizing strength and safety, the bear has gained significant weight and undergone wilderness training.
A 27-year-old Indian man working at a uranium site in Saskatchewan, Canada, was fatally attacked by a black bear, a rare incident in the province, with only three prior recorded fatal attacks.
