Since mid-March, seabirds and marine mammals that appear to have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has a high fatality rate, have been confirmed on the eastern coastline of Hokkaido. 　Volunteers are conducting their own surveys in Nemuro City, and as of the 4th, a total of 614 dead seabirds, seals, and sea otters have been confirmed.

For years in Takikawa there was perhaps one bear sighting every few years, but since May 28 there have already been a total of 10 this year.

The attacks are being attributed to a shortage of acorns in the bears’ natural habitat, forcing them to wander into populated areas in search of food.