Japanese City Captures Bear That Caused School Closures
8 reported
A wandering bear that frightened residents of Utsunomiya, a Japanese city north of Tokyo, was captured on Tuesday after several days of panic that led to the closure of all city-run schools. The bear was first spotted on Saturday near a park in the city, which has a population of half a million. City officials reported receiving dozens of sightings in the following days, including near a library, schools, and a community center. The city issued warnings via social media and dispatched a public announcement vehicle, urging residents to take shelter and secure their homes. On Tuesday afternoon, the bear was found on private property and shot with a tranquilizer gun by a veterinarian, with no injuries reported. Officials used a drone to track the animal after it was earlier spotted at a university campus, causing class cancellations. Officials believe there was only one bear but are investigating to be safe.
What’s reported
The bear was first spotted Saturday near a park in Utsunomiya, a city north of Tokyo with a population of half a million.
City officials received dozens of reports of bear sightings in the following days, including near a library, schools, and a community center.
All city-run schools were closed Monday and Tuesday due to the bear sightings.
The city issued bear warnings via social media and dispatched a public announcement vehicle.
On Tuesday afternoon, the bear was found on private property and shot by a veterinarian with a tranquilizer gun.
Nobody was injured during the capture.
Officials used a drone Tuesday to track the bear after it was spotted at a university campus, causing all classes to be canceled.
Officials believe there was only one bear but are investigating to be safe.
Key figures
Ryuhei Irie, city official
Sources: abcnews.com
