Japanese bears

[bcp]

How Japan is fighting back against a surge of bear attacks

As of the end of November, 235 bear attacks had killed 13 people across Japan this year, both the highest figures since records began in 2006, according to official data.

www.nbcnews.com

Bruce

 

[old and tired]

If people would stop trying to take selfies with the bears... this wouldn't happen!!


Just Kidding guys... (sort of)

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

The earth-crunchies and tree-huggers are really out of hand. It's not like we NEED a huge number of bears, and while environmentalists like to whine that every obnoxious species is vital, it's not really true. For example, America is doing just fine without the chestnut tree and the passenger pigeon, and we seem to get along well without the enormous herds of buffalo that used to cover the West.

Europe is the most pleasant place on Earth in terms of being set up well for human beings. One of the reasons it's so nice is that Europeans spent centuries killing off dangerous predators, in addition to draining swamps and so on. Europe used to have lions that ate people. It was full of wolves and bears that destroyed livestock. Europeans wisely wiped them out. It worked particularly well in the British isles. They now have zero bears, lions, and wolves, and everyone is better off for it.

The Japanese created this problem by allowing bears to breed unregulated. They have the same problem with boars, which have killed people.

I have no sympathy for people who persist in causing their own problems. The answer to the bear problem is obvious and easily implemented, but the Japanese choose to do nothing, so from time to time, some of them will have to die.

My own state, Florida, has a law against killing rattlesnakes. Of course, I will kill any poisonous snake I see, regardless. I would rather see rattlesnakes become extinct than see one person maimed or killed.

 

[Eagle1]

The earth-crunchies and tree-huggers are really out of hand. It's not like we NEED a huge number of bears, and while environmentalists like to whine that every obnoxious species is vital, it's not really true. For example, America is doing just fine without the chestnut tree and the passenger pigeon, and we seem to get along well without the enormous herds of buffalo that used to cover the West.

Europe is the most pleasant place on Earth in terms of being set up well for human beings. One of the reasons it's so nice is that Europeans spent centuries killing off dangerous predators, in addition to draining swamps and so on. Europe used to have lions that ate people. It was full of wolves and bears that destroyed livestock. Europeans wisely wiped them out. It worked particularly well in the British isles. They now have zero bears, lions, and wolves, and everyone is better off for it.

The Japanese created this problem by allowing bears to breed unregulated. They have the same problem with boars, which have killed people.

I have no sympathy for people who persist in causing their own problems. The answer to the bear problem is obvious and easily implemented, but the Japanese choose to do nothing, so from time to time, some of them will have to die.

My own state, Florida, has a law against killing rattlesnakes. Of course, I will kill any poisonous snake I see, regardless. I would rather see rattlesnakes become extinct than see one person maimed or killed.

Wolves have made a significant comeback in Germany, returning around the year 2000 from Poland, and now number over 200 packs, spreading across most states and thriving in diverse habitats, including surprising locations like military training grounds, though their return sparks debates over coexistence with livestock farmers, leading to discussions about managing populations while maintaining their protected status.

Same goes for many other creatures and now they have imported raccoons as well. BTW Badgers a problem in the UK.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

It always astonishes me that people whose forefathers worked so hard to get rid of large predators are eager to bring them back.

It's like saying the smallpox virus is a vital part of the ecosystem.

 

[EddieWalker]

Japan needs more Akita's. I'm sort of joking. The breed was used for hunting bears in Japan. I doubt that has happened for a very long time.

 

[scootr]

Japan needs more Akita's. I'm sort of joking. The breed was used for hunting bears in Japan. I doubt that has happened for a very long time.

View attachment 4691130

I thought they raised dogs for food?

 

[EddieWalker]

Does Japan eat dogs? I thought that was just China

 

[scootr]

Does Japan eat dogs? I thought that was just China

Google says the answer is yes although they lack the domestic dog slaughter houses like Korea and China, so they import the meat.

 

[ponytug]

I thought they raised dogs for food?

Not in Japan, but the practice is much more widespread than just parts of Asia; 21st century consumers of dogs include Cambodia, China, parts of Northeastern India (tribal areas), Indonesia, Ghana, Laos, Nigeria, South Korea, Switzerland, and Vietnam. That said, I am sure there are more countries that do it on the sly.

I've been offered beef liver sushi and chicken sushi in Japan, neither exactly traditional and way beyond what I was comfortable eating.

Dog meat - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

As to poor human wildlife interactions, I would say feel free to nominate candidates for a Darwin Award;

Darwin Awards: Evolution In Action

Darwin Awards: Vote for the Award Nominees! The Darwin Awards commemorate the (remains of) individuals who contribute to the improvement of our gene pool by removing themselves from it. Enter this portal for stories from the Darwin Awards.

darwinawards.com

There doesn't seem to be a shortage of nominees. In hindsight, I've come close to being a winner more than once.

All the best,

Peter