Tragic Bear Attack in Hokkaido

A Japanese hiker was discovered deceased on Friday after being reportedly attacked and dragged into the bushes by a bear.

Believed to be in his 20s, the hiker was on a trail in the Lauus Mountains, Hokkaido, when the incident occurred on Thursday. He was ahead of his friends when he was attacked, according to police reports.

The victim called out for his friends, and one of them was nearby enough to see another man struggling to pull him away into the underbrush.

After the attack, this friend notified authorities about what happened, leading to a large response.

In the aftermath, all three trails leading to Mount Rouse were closed, with hikers already in the area taking shelter at a nearby observatory.

By the end of Thursday, over 71 people were airlifted from the mountains by helicopter as dusk approached, and officials subsequently issued warnings about brown bears in the vicinity of Mount Rouse.

On Friday morning, a search revealed several personal items scattered along the trail, including a bloody shirt, wallet, hat, and watch, indicating a severe struggle had taken place.

A hunter looking for the missing man ended up shooting three brown bears near the site where the hiker’s body was located. There have been increasing reports of brown bear sightings in Mount Rouse, a known habitat for the species.

This incident follows a troubling trend, as several bear attacks across Japan have prompted authorities to conduct bear drills. Earlier this year, a bear had attacked a man near a school in Nassiobara.

As of now, Hokkaido Prefectural Police have not provided further comments regarding the tragic event.