Bear alert in Japan: increasing incursions and proposed solutions

Japan is experiencing a surge in bear attacks, leading authorities to consider allowing residents to shoot bears in urban areas. Overpopulation and hibernation issues complicate management, particularly in Hokkaido. Proposed changes to wildlife protection laws have sparked public concern and skepticism from hunting clubs about safety risks.

Hokkaido struggles with rising bear numbers

@Wikimedia Commons

Japan is on high alert due to an increase in bear incursions into densely populated areas and numerous incidents reported annually. As of April, more than 200 attacks had been recorded, with an additional 30 between April and July.

Rising reports and urgent discussions

The growing number of sightings has prompted Japanese authorities to urgently discuss drastic measures for dealing with these problematic animals. One controversial solution under consideration is the culling of bears, granting residents the authority to shoot bears that enter urban areas.

Challenges in autumn and hibernation

While conflicts with wildlife are expected to decrease with the arrival of autumn and the start of hibernation, the problem persists for bears unable to hibernate. This issue is attributed to the insufficient food supply in the wild and unusually warm temperatures.

Regional overpopulation

Certain regions, such as Hokkaido, are experiencing a significant increase in bear populations. The local administration has implemented various measures over time, including the use of intimidating robot wolves as deterrents.

Complexity in bear management

Managing the bear population remains extremely complex. The Ministry of the Environment is considering revising the Wildlife Protection Act, specifically Article 38, which currently prohibits the use of firearms in urban areas.

Can culling bears by allowing residents to shoot them in urban centers be a viable solution? Japanese newspapers describe it as a “no-hesitation death sentence,” causing widespread concern.

Concerns from hunting clubs

Hunting clubs are also not fully convinced, as shooting a bear in a populated area poses significant risks to public safety. If the law is revised, hunters would receive training from the police to handle emergencies and prevent fatal accidents.

Is it necessary to always consider animal elimination as the solution?

Sources: Mainichi – Ashai

A luxurious ship no one wants: the controversy surrounding the Seven Seas Voyager

The “Stop cruises BZH” collective and the environmentalists of Extinction Rébellion prevented tourists from disembarking from a cruise ship in the port of Concarneau, to shine a light on the pollution caused by tourist ships

@Extinction Rebellion Quimper

A true luxury vessel, complete with gourmet restaurants and sports facilities, is set to sail from Portugal to Belgium over ten days, making several stops in Portugal and France. These stops are expected to bring hordes of tourists into cities, causing significant pollution at the hosting ports.

The ship in question is the Seven Seas Voyager, a 676-foot behemoth that carries 700 passengers and about 440 crew members.

Protests and resistance

Recently, no one seemed to want this ship. Around fifteen activists from Extinction Rebellion and the Stop Cruises BZH collective used small kayaks to unfurl a banner in the middle of the port of Concarneau, blocking the cruise ship from docking.

As the giant ship anchored about 0.6 miles from the port, tourists were supposed to disembark via a shuttle. However, the activists’ blockade prevented this. After a standoff lasting at least two hours, the ship’s crew decided to give up and headed towards the port of Brest instead.

Environmental and economic concerns

Cruise ships are a significant environmental issue. They can severely impact air quality, with levels of “black carbon” and nitrogen dioxide far exceeding the World Health Organization’s air quality safety limits. Additionally, they epitomize the kind of rapid, transient tourism that often harms local economies rather than helping them.