Japan mulls designating bear populations for capture amid attacks

Japan's Environment Ministry began deliberations Tuesday on designating prefectural bear populations to assist their capture under a government subsidy system, amid a recent surge in attacks.The panel of experts, which will analyze bear populations and damage, is expected to summarize its findings by February 2024 following a total of three meetings."There are areas where bears have become extinct or are endangered due to past excessive hunting," Takao Shiraishi, who heads the ministry's Nature Conservation Bureau, said at the meeting."It is necessary to listen to experts and come up with m…READ FULL ARTICLE