Shiretoko Bear Attacks Linked to Tourist Feeding, Raising Concerns Over wildlife Habituation
Rausu, Hokkaido – A recent spate of bear attacks in Shiretoko National Park, culminating in the fatal mauling of a 74-year-old woman by a group of nine brown bears on July 29th, is increasingly attributed to the irresponsible practice of tourists feeding the animals.Reports surfaced prior to the incident of visitors offering snacks to bears directly from their vehicles within the park, a behaviour conservationists warn dramatically alters natural bear behavior and increases the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
The tragedy underscores a growing concern over “habituated” bears – animals that have lost their natural fear of humans through repeated, positive interactions involving food. According to the Industrial Creativity Division of Rausu Town Hall, bears quickly learn to associate humans with readily available food sources, “and they never forget.” This learned behavior drives them closer to human settlements in search of sustenance, escalating the potential for dangerous encounters. Authorities believe the bears involved in the fatal attack had become accustomed to receiving food from tourists and discarded waste.
Wild brown bears are typically omnivorous,with studies indicating that 70-80% of their diet consists of nuts and wild plants (Noboribetsu Bear Farm Site),and some estimates reaching 90% (Kadozaki Yoshiaki,The Complete Brown Bear). Attacking humans for food is thus considered an atypical behavior, suggesting a notable shift in the bears’ natural foraging patterns due to human intervention.
Normally, wild animals, including bears, instinctively avoid humans, recognizing potential harm in interaction.Though, when bears are repeatedly exposed to food provided by people, this fear diminishes, creating a dangerous situation for both wildlife and residents. The Shiretoko Foundation, responsible for the park’s conservation, had previously reported observing tourists engaging in the prohibited practice of feeding bears.
