Bear captured after days-long search in Japan's Utsunomiya

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  • 09 June, 2026
  • 13:26
Bear captured after days-long search in Japan's Utsunomiya

A multi-day search for a bear in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya in Tochigi Prefecture ended after the animal was subdued with a tranquilizer and captured.

According to The Japan Times, cited by Report, authorities needed to fire three shots in order to hit the bear.

An elevated alert had been in place in Utsunomiya since the weekend after reports of a bear sighting near schools and residential areas. Classes at more than 90 schools were suspended as a precaution.

Another bear, seen on video chasing people in Fukushima, has not yet been located.

Japan has been facing a rising number of bear attacks on people in recent months.