Japanese city captures black bear after multi-day hunt
A wild Asiatic black bear that had been roaming Utsunomiya, a city of 500,000 people about 100km north of Tokyo, was sedated and captured on Tuesday after four days of sightings that forced the closure of all 94 public primary and middle schools. The bear, estimated to weigh around 100kg, was tracked using drones and shot with a tranquilizer gun on private property, with no injuries reported to residents. The incident highlights Japan's escalating bear crisis, which reached a record 238 casualties including 13 deaths in fiscal 2025.
Authorities in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, captured a wild Asiatic black bear on Tuesday after a four-day search that gripped the nation and prompted the closure of all 94 city-run primary and middle schools. The bear was first spotted near a park on Saturday evening — the first such sighting in the city's history — and was subsequently reported more than 20 times near homes, schools, parks, a library, a shopping arcade, a university campus, and a river where it was seen swimming. A veterinarian fired multiple tranquilizer darts before successfully sedating the roughly 100kg animal on private property; it was then loaded into a cage and driven away, though city officials had not yet decided its fate. Schools were set to remain closed on Wednesday due to reports of a possible second bear in the area. The Utsunomiya incident is part of a broader surge in bear encounters across Japan: a separate 'extremely intelligent' bear that attacked four people in Fukushima last week remains at large after reportedly unlatching a window to escape, and bear sightings also prompted school closures in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, on the same day. Japan's government, which estimates the national bear population at approximately 57,800 — roughly triple the 2012 figure — has established a ministerial task force and is exploring technological solutions including AI-linked CCTV, thermal-camera drones, and robotic wolf deterrents to manage the growing crisis.
What's missing
It remains unclear what authorities ultimately decided to do with the captured bear — whether it was relocated, placed in a zoo, or culled — as no source confirmed a final outcome. Additionally, no source clarified whether the possible second bear in Utsunomiya was ever confirmed or located.
How coverage differed
The Guardian, publishing before the capture, framed the story primarily around the school closures and the broader pattern of bear encroachment, while later-publishing outlets such as BBC and CBS News led with the successful capture as the resolution. The Jerusalem Post used more dramatic language ('sent Japanese city into lockdown') compared to the more measured phrasing of center-leaning outlets, though all sources agreed on the core facts.
What different sources said
- Sky NewsCenter
Wild black bear captured in Japanese city after multi-day hunt
- Deutsche WelleCenter
Japanese city captures black bear after multi-day hunt
- The GuardianLeft
Japanese city shuts down nearly 100 schools after unprecedented bear sighting
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
Black bear caught in Japan after sightings, school closures
- BBCCenter
Black bear caught in Japan after days of sightings
- EuronewsCenter
Bear captured after roaming through Japanese city
- Al JazeeraLeft
Bear captured after days of panic and school closures in Japan
- France 24Center
Bear captured in Japan after multi-day search as attacks rise
- The Japan TimesCenter
Dayslong bear hunt in Tochigi Prefecture capital ends with animal’s capture
- CBS NewsCenter
Bear that caused panic and school closures captured in Japan
- ABC News InternationalCenter
Japanese city captures bear that caused fear and school closures
- Yahoo FinanceCenter
Japanese city closes nearly 100 schools after bear sightings as post-hibernation attacks rise
- The Jerusalem PostRight
Tokyo drift: Black bear that sent Japanese city into lockdown, sparked multi-day search, captured
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