A bear roaming the streets of a Japanese city for three days has forced the closure of nearly 100 schools as dozens of hunters and officials searched for the animal. The city government of Utsunomiya, located north of Tokyo, closed all 94 public primary and junior high schools in the area after receiving more than 10 reports of bear sightings since Saturday, including one in a shopping arcade.
Search Efforts Underway
“We have vehicles out to areas where a bear was seen to make people aware and to urge people to stay indoors or in vehicles,” a city official told AFP, adding that dozens of hunters, police, and local officials have been looking for the animal. It was not clear whether there is one bear or more, he said, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity.
Rising Bear Incidents in Japan
This incident comes amid a concerning rise in bear attacks across Japan, including within urban environments. In response, the government established a task force this year to mitigate casualties. The situation in Utsunomiya underscores the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in the country.
Authorities continue to urge residents to remain vigilant and avoid approaching the animal. The closure of schools is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of children as the search continues.
