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Police in Senboku, Akita Prefecture, said a 61-year-old woman was apparently killed by a bear while picking bamboo shoots in the mountains.
According to police, the body of Masako Oishi was found at around 1 p.m. Saturday in a remote mountainous area known to be a bear habitat. Fuji TV reported that the woman was found by a friend who contacted police.
Oishi was found lying face down with gashes on the back of her head and shoulder consistent with a bear attack, officials said.
Earlier this month, police warned residents in mountainous areas of Aomori and Akita prefectures to be on the lookout for bears.
Flyers were circulated to warn people of bear attacks in rural areas of the two prefectures. The flyers advised local residents not to enter forests where bears have spotted at a time of year when they forage for bamboo shoots and mountain vegetables.
Bamboo shoots are a popular seasonal product and some residents make a living selling them, but they are also a staple of the bears’ diet in spring.
© Japan Today
9 Comments
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Disillusioned
Maybe, just maybe, the warnings about bears were given for a good reason, just maybe.
Goodlucktoyou
Attacked from behind would be the worst way to die. At 61 she probably had young grandchildren, if so, i hope the parents tell the grandchildren "don't go playing in the woods during the bear season".
Monozuki
Chances were high that the bear got openly angry about the woman grabbing bears' territory. RIP.
CaptDingleheimer
Perhaps it's time for making sure granny has one of those industrial-sized pepper spray cans of bear repellent when she goes out to pick sansai.
Ah_so
I can think of worse ways to go. At least it's quick.
We do know exactly what happened - maybe she was trying to outrun it - a natural instinct.
WA4TKG
This is why you carry a .45 when you go in the woods.
Sevenseas
Does anybody know what, if anything, happens to the bear in cases like this in Japan? Is it hunted and killed?
Toasted Heretic
I hope not. It's a wild animal, in its natural habitat and tragically, occasionally there is an incident like this.
Sevenseas
Toasted Heretic
I hope not too. I searched it on the internet and I think it just depends. I was wondering if it is S.O.P here in Japan.
I'm sad for the lady but it was just being a bear.