Bear Spotted at Japan's Scenic Amanohashidate, Swims Across Sea, Captured with Tranquilizer

(Central News Agency, reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo 11th special dispatch) A bear sighting was reported at "Amanohashidate," one of Japan's three most scenic views, on the afternoon of the 10th. An adult male Asiatic black bear entered the Amanohashidate scenic area, not only walking along the sandbar but also swimming across the sea into a nearby residential area, drawing local attention. After several hours of monitoring, authorities successfully captured it using tranquilizer guns at night, and fortunately, no casualties occurred.

According to NHK and the Kyoto Shimbun, the Miyazu Police Station of the Kyoto Prefectural Police stated that around 4:30 p.m. on the 10th, a citizen reported seeing a bear on the north side of "Amanohashidate" in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, and immediately notified the police.

Upon receiving the report, authorities immediately closed off approximately 2.6 kilometers of the road within Amanohashidate, prohibiting public entry to ensure safety.

It is understood that the bear walked south along Amanohashidate for about 300 meters, then jumped into the sea and swam, subsequently entering the residential area of Ejiri district in Miyazu City and hiding in a grove of various trees. Police and Kyoto Prefectural staff continued to monitor the bear's movements at the scene, and nearby residents remained vigilant.

The Miyazu Police Station stated that after 10:00 p.m., a private contractor commissioned by Kyoto Prefecture fired two tranquilizer darts at the bear. After waiting about 40 minutes, the bear lost mobility due to the drug's effect and was successfully captured. No one was injured in the incident.

Kyoto Prefecture later confirmed that the captured bear was an adult male Asiatic black bear, approximately 1.3 meters in length and weighing 97 kilograms.

Amanohashidate is one of Japan's most representative scenic spots. The narrow sandbar, covered with thousands of pine trees, is a spectacular sight. Along with "Matsushima" in Miyagi Prefecture and "Itsukushima" in Hiroshima Prefecture, it is considered one of Japan's three most scenic views, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists every year. Kyoto Prefecture announced that the road closures and control measures implemented due to the bear sighting would be lifted at 9:00 a.m. on the 11th. (Editor: Tian Ruihua) 1150611