The US has issued a travel warning for tourists in Japan due to a rise in bear encounters causing injuries and fatalities, linked to habitat loss and food shortages, with authorities taking measures to mitigate risks. The increase in human-wildlife conflicts is part of a broader global trend driven by habitat destruction and climate change, prompting preventative actions and environmental awareness.
Two Kodiak bear cubs were found in a rural area of the Florida Panhandle, far from their native home in Alaska. The cubs, which can grow up to 1,500 pounds, were discovered playfully interacting with authorities and residents. It was later determined that they had escaped from an enclosure at a residence where a "self-proclaimed bear trainer" lives. Florida typically only has native black bears, and keeping wild animals is illegal in most cases. The National Park Service provides tips for bear encounters, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm and avoiding sudden movements.
Blue Ridge Parkway officials have closed a section of the scenic route due to unsafe human-bear interactions at the Lane Pinnacle Overlook. Meanwhile, Asheville police have charged 49 people in a "quality-of-life" sweep targeting crime and homelessness in the city. In a separate incident, a Henderson County man is facing charges after allegedly striking and killing a pedestrian with his pickup truck, then moving the body before fleeing the scene.
Black bears are more likely to come into contact with humans than grizzly and polar bears, and dumpsters containing food are an ideal spot for them. Wildlife experts advise people not to run if they encounter a bear, but to back away slowly, give the bear space, talk calmly, and make themselves look big. Bear-resistant garbage bins made of metal and with clips to keep doors securely closed are common in campgrounds and parks where bears are more likely to roam. Ultimately, having safer storage containers helps protect the bears themselves, as many are killed in these types of encounters.
