How human-bear conflicts in Japan are linked with ecological impacts of climate change

By Vivek Saini

In the “land of the rising sun,” a troubling increase in bear attacks is being increasingly witnessed. Previously isolated to interactions with forest foragers and hikers, these alarming incidents have now encroached upon urban areas, particularly in the northern parts of Honshu. The surge in human-bear conflicts signifies a complex issue intricately linked with ecological transformations and climate change. This article discusses the multifaceted challenges and the imperative strategies needed to combat the mounting crisis, shedding light on the intricate conflict between humans and bears in a rapidly changing landscape.

The growing threat of bear attacks in Japan

In what has become an alarming trend, Japan is grappling with a surge in bear attacks that is proving to be a significant threat to both human safety and bear population. Since April, there have been at least 158 reported injuries and two tragic deaths due to bear encounters, a number that equals the record set in 2020. This alarming rise in bear attacks has set off alarm bells among experts and authorities, who scramble to understand and mitigate this looming crisis.

Notably, over the past six months leading up to September, 15 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures reported bear attacks. Previously, these incidents often involved individuals straying into bear territories, and it is increasingly becoming a concern that bears are encroaching upon populated areas. This shift has led to more encounters in places once considered safe from bear incursions. Most of these attacks have occurred in the northern part of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, with Akita, Iwate, and Fukushima being particularly affected. What was once considered a rare occurrence, reserved for those who ventured into forests to forage for wild vegetables or unsuspecting hikers, has become a growing threat to urban and suburban areas. 

The role of climate change and ecological imbalance 

A key driver behind the surge in bear attacks in Japan is the complex interplay between ecological changes, climate-driven disruptions, and bear behavior. The increasing number of incidents is linked to abundant acorn and beechnut crops last year, leading to more giant bear cubs and a shortage of their usual food sources this year. This scarcity drives more animals into populated areas for food before hibernation in early December. In the past, bear encounters mostly involved people foraging for wild plants or unsuspecting hikers in the forest. However, the boundaries between bear habitats and depopulated villages have become less defined, resulting in more frequent human encounters in urban areas.

A shortage of dietary staples has forced bears to venture into urban areas for food before hibernation begins in early December. Climate change plays a significant role in exacerbating this struggle for food. As natural food sources for bears become scarcer due to climate-driven disruptions, bears adapt by seeking sustenance in human-inhabited areas. This shift in bear behavior and increasing proximity to human settlements illustrate the far-reaching consequences of ecological imbalances driven by climate change.

Cause and Contributing Factors

The surge in bear-human conflicts manifests the changing landscape of Japan, where the boundaries between human settlements and bear habitats are blurring. This shift in dynamics is most prominently observed in the northern regions of Honshu, which have experienced a significant increase in bear encounters. In Akita, Iwate, and Fukushima, the number of attacks has risen dramatically, reaching a disturbing proportion near people’s homes.

The brown bears of a UNESCO World Heritage site in Japan’s northern Hokkaido prefecture are at risk of starvation this winter, as the salmon they rely on to fatten up for hibernation have failed to return to the region’s rivers. There are as many as 500 brown bears on the 1,230 sq km Shiretoko Peninsula. Still, local authorities and tour operators have reported seeing an unusual number of thin bears at a time of the year when they need to gain weight to survive next winter. Local farmers also report seeing more bears in their fields, and there are concerns that the animals will soon start to venture into urban areas in search of food and will inevitably encounter residents.

“This year, the bears have not been able to find sufficient food,” said Daisuke Imura, an official of the Ministry of the Environment based at the Shiretoko World Heritage Centre in Utoro. “There have not been enough acorns and seeds that the bears tend to eat in the autumn months, and now the salmon have not returned,” he said.

“Ocean temperatures have been far higher than normal, and the salmon that usually travel here from the Russian Far East have not come – and they are an important part of the bears’ diet.”

Zoonotic disease risks in Human-Animal interactions

Human-animal interactions have significant consequences, notably the increased spread of zoonotic diseases like malaria, Zika, and COVID-19. These diseases originate from the exchange of pathogens between humans and animals due to increased contact between humans and animals. A UN study revealed that zoonotic diseases account for 60% of known infectious diseases and 75% of emerging diseases. There are approximately 10,000 virus species capable of infecting humans, many of which circulate silently in wild mammals.

The proximity of humans and wildlife, resulting from environmental modifications, shifts in animal behavior, and human activities, escalates the risk of disease transmission. Viruses exhibit a notable capacity for adaptation to new hosts, facilitating the global dissemination of diseases within our highly interconnected world. Localized incidents possess the potential to evolve into global crises swiftly. Furthermore, as the impact of climate change continues to intensify, these interactions are projected to become increasingly prevalent. Climate-induced alterations in the environment and animal behavior further exacerbate the susceptibility  to zoonotic diseases and interactions between humans and wildlife. It is imperative to acknowledge and effectively manage these interactions to uphold public health and safeguard environmental integrity.

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References:

1. https://www.env.go.jp/nature/choju/effort/effort12/injury-qe.pdf
2. https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/29/japan-rise-bear-attacks-food-struggle
3. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3236019/japans-hokkaido-fears-attacks-starving-bears-warm-waters-delay-arrival-salmon?utm_source=youtube_description&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=scmp_video_team
4. https://www.npr.org/2022/09/29/1119561088/monkeypox-climate-change-zoonotic-diseases
5. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04788-w