Japan captures black bear in Utsunomiya after days of urban sightings

Japanese officials sedated and captured a 100‑kg black bear in the city of Utsunomiya, about 2.5 km south of the main station, after it had been sighted more than 20 times near homes, schools and parks. The operation took 1 hour and 40 minutes and involved three tranquiliser shots. The capture forced the closure of all 94 public primary and middle schools in the city.

A second, “extremely intelligent” bear remains at large in Fukushima, where it recently injured four people and broke into an electronics factory. Japan has seen a record rise in bear attacks in 2025, with 238 victims reported to the environment ministry, including 13 deaths. Experts cite poor seed harvests, an aging rural population and ecological changes as drivers of the increased encounters.

Authorities have deployed drones equipped with thermal cameras and are testing AI‑powered image analysis for trail cameras to track bears. Local companies such as KDDI SmartDrone are offering unmanned aircraft systems to assist police and hunters, while firms like Ohta Seiki market robotic deterrents such as the solar‑powered “Super Monster Wolf.”