High-IQ Black Bear Escapes by Opening Locked Window, Panic in Fukushima

(CNA correspondent Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 4th) A black bear that attacked four people in succession in Fukushima City and was subsequently trapped in an office building has escaped by opening a locked window. The incident has put nearby residents on high alert, leading to factory closures and school suspensions. Authorities dispatched an emergency capture team, but a police officer witnessed the bear leaving through the main entrance last night. An inspection of the office today revealed that a locked window had been opened and the screen door destroyed, indicating the bear had "opened the window and escaped on its own."

According to NHK and Kyodo News, the black bear appeared in the Sasanoki area of Fukushima City on the 2nd, breaking into a foundry, a neighboring office, and a residence, injuring four men and women ranging in age from their 20s to their 80s.

Surveillance footage released by the factory shows a bear, about the size of a large dog, suddenly darting out from a corner and lunging at a man, leading to a chase around a tree. At that moment, a car drove in from outside, startling the bear, which then ran towards a building and disappeared from the frame.

The bear attacked at two factories, injuring four people. Experts suggest the bear may have been in a state of extreme excitement and panic.

The bear was then trapped inside the office. Due to the presence of flammable materials, live ammunition could not be used, so the city authorized the use of a tranquilizer gun for an emergency capture. However, Fukushima City reported that a police officer saw the bear leave the office premises through the main entrance just before 11:00 p.m. last night.

The city stated that the bear was still inside the building yesterday afternoon, but an inspection of the scene today found that a window on the first floor where the bear was located had been opened and the screen door destroyed. The window was approximately 120 cm high and 90 cm wide, and used a "crescent lock," a type of lock that uses a rotating semi-circular hook to secure two window sashes.

As city officials had confirmed from the outside that the window was locked and closed, it is presumed that the bear opened the lock and escaped on its own.

Police and related agencies subsequently deployed patrol cars and drones to search for the bear, but as of 5:00 p.m., its whereabouts remain unknown. The city believes the bear may still be in the surrounding area and will continue searching, urging residents to avoid going out alone.

The office where the bear was trapped has been closed since the 2nd. The person in charge, Norihisa Tanji, said, "While it's unavoidable to suspend operations due to the bear's appearance, it is still shocking and unsettling that a bear would appear in an urban area far from the mountains."

Nearby residents are also deeply worried. An 80-year-old man said, "I won't feel safe until the bear is caught. I'm keeping my doors locked and using my car as much as possible when I go out." An 80-year-old woman said, "I can't drive, so I have to walk to the hospital. I'm very scared on the road. I hope they catch it soon."

Due to the incident, nearby elementary and junior high schools have been temporarily closed from the 2nd to the 4th, switching to online classes. The Fukushima City Board of Education plans to resume classes on the 5th, but if the bear is not found, it will ask schools to implement safety measures such as requiring parents to pick up and drop off students, suspending outdoor activities, and reinforcing window and door locks.

Regarding the bear's escape during the emergency capture, Fukushima City Mayor Yuki Baba stated at a press conference, "We took all possible measures, but this was a highly intelligent bear capable of opening window locks. I can't say we were helpless, but the fact that we ultimately failed to achieve results is certainly a point for reflection. However, we were by no means negligent."

Mayor Baba acknowledged that the city spent too much time on the process of organizing and releasing information and said it would review and improve the relevant mechanisms. He also stated that the bear is highly likely to still be active within the city and that the city will cooperate with the police and other relevant agencies to ensure the safety of its citizens. (Editor: Chen Chenggong) 1150604