Ugo Town authorities cull bear in Akita Prefecture

In Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture, authorities conducted an emergency cull of a bear on September 11, 2026. The bear was located in a thicket near the municipal library after multiple sightings were reported in the Nishimamonai urban area starting around 6:00 AM.

Local officials implemented traffic restrictions near the site at 4:00 PM due to safety concerns. Following the intervention by a hunting association, the bear was culled, and restrictions were lifted by 4:30 PM. This marks the first emergency cull of a bear in Akita Prefecture for the year 2026. Prefectural authorities began conducting on-site investigations at the scene later that evening.