Bears killed 13 people in Japan last year, a record number, as attacks on humans increased across the country. The figure, released by the environment ministry, marks the highest annual death toll from bear attacks on record.
Rising number of attacks
In total, there were 158 bear attacks on people in the year, up from 141 the previous year. The ministry said that the number of attacks has been rising in recent years, with more bears venturing into populated areas in search of food.
Record cull
In response, authorities culled 14,000 bears, double the number killed the previous year. The cull was carried out in an effort to reduce the risk to human life, but has drawn criticism from conservation groups.
The ministry said that the increase in attacks is likely due to a combination of factors, including a decline in the availability of natural food sources for bears, such as acorns, and an aging population in rural areas that leaves more land untended.
