Japanese authorities urge caution after wild bears attack several people in the northeast
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese authorities have warned residents to be aware of wild bears in the country’s northeast after several people were attacked, including police officers.
A bear about 1 meter (3 feet) in size was captured in Fukushima prefecture Sunday by officials in charge of wildlife damage, according to a Japanese news report that included video of the bear wandering around in a residential area.
An official in Inawashiromachi city in Fukushima, who answered the phone, was not able to provide further information.
The bears were also seen in surrounding areas, including Akita prefecture.
Two police officers were attacked Saturday in the city of Kazuno in Akita while recovering the body of a missing man, Japanese media reported. The man had gone hunting for bamboo shoots in the mountains a few days earlier where he was found dead in the area with gash wounds. It remains unclear if he died due to a bear attack.