A tragic bear attack on Mount Rausu in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko Peninsula has left a man in his 20s dead, prompting authorities to close the mountain’s trails and evacuate dozens of hikers.
The incident occurred on the morning of August 14 when the victim, hiking with a companion, was attacked by a brown bear. The companion, who was walking some distance behind, saw the bear wrestling with the victim before dragging him into nearby bushes. He escaped and immediately contacted emergency services.
Search teams began their efforts early the next day, eventually finding personal items belonging to the victim, including a wallet, a blood-stained shirt, and a hat, at an elevation of about 550 meters. The hiker’s body was discovered later in the afternoon and pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities shot and killed three brown bears in the vicinity—a mother and her two cubs—fearing they could threaten rescue workers. DNA testing will be used to determine whether any of the bears were responsible for the attack.
All trails to the summit have been closed indefinitely. Hikers already on the mountain were airlifted to safety by helicopter, many from designated observation points.
The attack comes amid a rise in bear encounters in Hokkaido, with experts linking the trend to food shortages, changes in hibernation patterns, and habitat loss. Local officials have been warning hikers to carry bear bells, travel in groups, and remain alert when moving through known bear habitats.
Mount Rausu, known for its rugged beauty and rich wildlife, has long been a home to brown bears. This latest fatal encounter underscores the dangers of human–wildlife conflict in the region and the importance of strict safety measures for those venturing into the wilderness.
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