In Japan’s mountains, a different way to manage bears

A small female black bear tranquilized on the ground as wild bear experts Akiko Takii (right) and Shinshu University professor Shigeyuki Izumiyama collect blood and fur samples for academic research in Ina, Nagano Prefecture, in July. | AFP-JIJI

Sep 1, 2026

Ina, Nagano Pref. – As a sensor sounded, scientist Akiko Takii hurried to a bear trap deep in the forests of Nagano Prefecture, where rising nationwide attacks have brought fear and resulted in the culling of thousands of the animals.

“It’s a small bear, I think, about a year-and-a-half old,” Takii said as she peered at the 15-kilogram (33-pound) Asiatic black bear thrashing in the cage. “It must have just parted from mum.”

Its mother wasn’t around, and Takii took blood and fur samples after her co-researcher tranquilized the young female. The animal was too small to be tagged with a GPS tracker, so she was released.

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