Sapporo ¨C A suspected bear attack in Hokkaido¡¯s Lake Shumarinai district earlier this month has raised concerns among officials and bear experts that the island¡¯s growing population of brown bears, now estimated at nearly 12,000, is increasing the risks of deadly encounters.
Hokkaido police are investigating the May 14 disappearance of 54-year-old Toshihiro Nishikawa, who was fishing by himself at the lake, located in the town of Horokanai. An eyewitness told police a bear was seen in the area with waders in its mouth and an as-yet unidentified human head was found in the area the following day.
The news led to a rush of local and national media reports about the dangers of bears, especially at this time of year.
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