Japan Puts Bounty On Bears Due To Record Bear Attacks

Japan has a problem with an increasing number of bear attacks as bears increasingly are seeking food in towns and cities: there have been at least 167 reported attacks this year already, and Akita Prefecture has had at least 53 people injured this year, which is almost triple the number of victims last year. Thus, the Prefecture's governor is encouraging hunters to shoot bears on site, and is offering a reward of 5,000 yen (approximately $33) to those who capture a bear. They are also going to subsidize the cost of hunting bullets for hunting clubs.