Bear attack in Hokkaido leaves hiker missing, prompts safety warnings

A young hiker in his 20s is missing after being attacked and dragged away by a brown bear while descending Mount Rausu on Japan’s Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido on Thursday, authorities reported.

The victim's hiking companion, also in his 20s, immediately alerted the police after witnessing the attack. He described to investigators how his friend tried to fend off the bear but was ultimately dragged into the forest, according to NHK.

He noted that the victim had been walking about 200 meters ahead when the bear emerged.

Search teams from the Hokkaido police and local rescue units found the missing man’s bloodstained shirt, wallet, wristwatch, and hat near the attack site, as reported by the Hokkaido Shimbun on Friday.

The trail up the 1,661-meter mountain, which spans the towns of Rausu and Shari, has been closed indefinitely.

Rising bear encounters spark alarms

The incident follows a close call on Tuesday, where a hiker was trailed by a bear in the same region. Officials in Shari had been issuing repeated warnings since July following multiple sightings of brown bears exhibiting no fear of humans.

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government has now heightened alerts for the Mount Rausu area, advising hikers to "slowly and quietly step away backward" if they encounter a bear. The advisory further recommends against throwing rocks, shouting, or running, as these actions may provoke the animal.

Authorities also advise hikers to turn back immediately if they come across bear tracks or droppings.

A deadly trend

Mount Rausu, a part of the UNESCO-listed Shiretoko Peninsula since 2005, is recognized for its dense brown bear population.

Across the nation, bear attacks have been on the rise, with 55 incidents reported from April to July this year alone—three of which were fatal, according to Japan’s Environment Ministry.