Photo: USO / iStock / Getty Images
A tragic bear attack claimed the life of a 70-year-old man in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The man, who went missing on Wednesday (October 8) while picking mushrooms, was found dead with his head and torso separated, according to local police and a report by Channel News Asia.
Authorities suspect the man was attacked by a bear, as indicated by scratch marks on his body. This incident is part of a worrying trend of bear encounters in Japan, with the official death toll from bear attacks reaching six for the fiscal year starting in April, matching a record high from 2023. In the past week alone, there have been three suspected fatal bear attacks, which could set a new annual record if confirmed.
The increase in bear sightings and attacks is attributed to factors like climate change and a declining human population, which have led bears to venture closer to residential areas. Earlier this week, a bear entered a supermarket in Gunma Prefecture, injuring two men and alarming shoppers. In another incident, a Spanish tourist was attacked by a bear at a bus stop in Gifu Prefecture.
The Environment Ministry reports that between April and September, 103 people nationwide suffered injuries from bear encounters. The recent surge in attacks has prompted authorities to investigate and address the growing threat posed by bears in Japan.