By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan logged a total of 12,067 Asian black bear sightings from April to July, the highest figure since records began in 2009, it was announced at a government meeting on Thursday, Jiji press reported.
During the meeting, the Environment Ministry and other government bodies agreed to intensify warnings, anticipating a rise in bear sightings this fall due to a projected shortage of beech nuts, a major food source for bears.
The ministry attributed the uptick in sightings to a combination of a growing bear population and decreased food availability caused by high temperatures.
Over a five-month span, there were 48 incidents of bears injuring people, roughly consistent with figures from the past five years. In July, sightings in residential areas occurred more frequently than usual.
A revised law that came into effect on Sept. 1 permits local authorities to approve the shooting of wild bears in urban zones. At Thursday’s meeting, the government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the law effectively while prioritizing public safety.