Japan kills 14,000 bears to curb rising human attacks

Japan has killed approximately 14,000 bears in less than a year in an effort to curb increasing attacks on the population. Last year marked the deadliest year on record for bear-related incidents, with 13 fatalities and more than 230 attacks reported across the country.

Experts attribute the rise in human-wildlife conflict to extreme heat, which has hindered the growth of essential food sources like acorns and beech nuts in northern prefectures such as Akita and Iwate. This food scarcity is driving bears into urban areas and tourist destinations like Karuizawa, where they search for alternative food sources like berries and insects.

The situation is further complicated by a declining human population in rural areas, leading to abandoned orchards and forests that allow bears to move more easily into residential zones. While the culling aims to protect citizens, the measures have drawn concern from conservationist groups.