A bear that caused chaos in a supermarket in northern Japan has been captured two days after it attacked a worker, adding to a series of bear encounters in the country. The incident took place in Akita City, where the bear entered the store on Saturday and injured a 47-year-old employee, resulting in a minor head injury, as reported by the police.
Authorities struggled for two days to apprehend the bear, during which time it wreaked havoc in the meat section and caused damage to shelves, according to the store manager. Bear incidents have been on the rise in Japan, particularly in the northern regions where the lush environment provides an ideal habitat for these animals.
Experts suggest that climate change is disrupting the traditional food sources of bears, leading them to venture into urban areas in search of sustenance. The bear, estimated to be 1-meter long, remained inside the store post-attack, prompting authorities to use a drone on Sunday to locate it.
Police officers in protective gear eventually found the bear in the storage area and set up a box trap baited with honey and apples to capture it. The bear was successfully caught on Monday but unfortunately had to be euthanized, as confirmed by an Akita City Hall spokesperson.
The prefecture has witnessed a higher number of bear incidents this year compared to previous years, with last year setting a record for such encounters. Japan also reported the highest number of injuries and property damage due to bear attacks in the fiscal year ending in March, according to Japan public broadcaster.
