Even after December, when bears are generally supposed to hibernate, bear sightings continue to occur in Akita Prefecture, with 16 sightings reported as of the 6th this year.
In Misato Town, on January 17, town officials confirmed that a bear measuring approximately 50 centimeters in length had climbed a tree on the Chibata Elementary School grounds.
Since the bear was discovered at the same time as the school was leaving school, the school had to respond by asking parents of children who were walking home to come pick them up, but no one was injured.
The bear remained in the tree for about four hours before leaving the area.
Some parents still pick up and drop off their children at school by car, and one mother said, ``It takes about 30 minutes to walk from school to home, and there are bears at school, so it's scary, so it's difficult every day, but I still do it.'' We continue to provide transportation by car."
Toshihiro Tamaru, vice principal of Chibata Elementary School, said, ``We are surprised that there are reports of bear sightings even in January.We will continue to protect the safety of the children by standing guard at the entrances and exits when leaving school.''
Also, in December last year, a bear was photographed climbing a tree and eating persimmons during a snowstorm in Odate City.
On December 17th last year, an NHK director happened to spot a bear climbing a persimmon tree during a snowstorm near a private house in Odate City, and photographed it from inside his car.
According to the director who took the photo, the bear was about 50 centimeters long and had climbed a persimmon tree behind a house to eat persimmons, and after eating the persimmons for at least 5 minutes, it climbed down from the tree and left the area.
According to the Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters, there have been a number of bear sightings during the winter season, with 16 sightings reported as of the 6th of this year.