Bear Encounters and Public Safety Concerns in Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula

In Hokkaido, a troubling trend involving aggressive behavior from brown bears has emerged, especially in the Shiretoko Peninsula region. An incident in August 2019 left the community shaken when a family discovered a brown bear had killed their pet dog, Koro, after it was believed to have been approached by the same bear known locally as “Rusha Taro” or RT. This bear had previously been involved in the mauling or deaths of several outdoor dogs, making this attack in broad daylight particularly alarming.

Despite the alarming behavior of RT and other bears in the area, notable encounters with these animals continue. For example, in May 2022, a mother bear and her two cubs were seen approaching a rental car, showcasing the high density of brown bears in the area—estimated at around 400 to 500. Travelers often stop their vehicles to observe these majestic creatures, creating "bear jams" that can hinder traffic and invite risky behavior as some individuals venture too closely to the animals, endangering themselves and the bears.

Authorities have responded to the situation by revising laws to prevent people from feeding bears or getting too close. However, the enforcement of these regulations remains challenging; in fiscal 2024 alone, there were numerous cases of risky interactions between the public and bears. Experts like Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka emphasize the need for a more proactive and realistic approach to managing human-wildlife interactions, warning that continued irresponsible behavior could ultimately lead to dangerous encounters. Fortunately, there have been no attacks by bears on humans in the last 40 years, but experts remain cautious and believe immediate action is necessary to maintain safety in the Shiretoko region.