Taking aim at Japan's bear problemーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

Drone Technology for Wildlife Monitoring: Utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with cameras and sensors to detect and track bears.
Bear Attack Prevention: Implementing strategies to minimize human-bear encounters, particularly in residential areas.
Audio Deterrents: Using sound emitted from drones to warn bears and encourage them to move away from populated areas.
Infrared Sensing: Employing thermal imaging technology to detect bears in low-light conditions, such as at night.
Community-Based Disaster Management: Empowering local residents to handle bear-related threats as a form of disaster.
Human-Bear Conflict: The increasing frequency and severity of interactions between humans and bears, leading to injuries and fatalities.
Behavioral Adaptations of Bears: Bears learning to access food sources in urban environments, potentially altering hibernation patterns.

Drone Initiative in Akita Prefecture to Combat Bear Attacks

Northern Japan, specifically Akita Prefecture, is experiencing a surge in bear attacks, some of which have been fatal. In response, residents are exploring the use of drone technology as a preventative measure to enhance safety by spotting bears and broadcasting alerts.

Project Overview and Testing

The initiative is led by an organization that dispatches drones and operators during disaster situations. They have partnered with Masuda, a traditional Japanese hunter, to implement this project. Testing commenced in October with the aim of developing effective safety measures that require minimal personnel.

Drone Capabilities and Test Results

Audio Warnings:
- Objective: To determine if drones could effectively warn people about nearby bears.
- Mechanism: Drones broadcast audio warnings audible within a 200-meter radius.
- Observation: Playing audio while approaching a bear resulted in the animals retreating, a "very welcome effect."
Nighttime Detection:
- Objective: To assess the capability of drones in spotting bears during the high-risk period between dusk and dawn.
- Technology: Infrared sensors were utilized to detect the presence of bears.
- Findings: Bears were clearly visible with their paws appearing red due to the infrared detection. However, attempts to control their movement using spotlights proved ineffective, as the bears did not appear bothered by the light, despite reacting to sound. This result was described as "a bit disappointing."

Rationale and Future Goals

The team views the threat of bear attacks as a form of disaster and aims to enable local residents to manage these situations independently. With the continued rise in deadly bear attacks, the project hopes to deploy these drone devices by the end of the next fiscal year.

Impact on Akita Prefecture Residents

Ciza Marina, reporting from the Akita bureau, highlighted the palpable fear among residents. The prefecture has recorded a record high of four fatal bear attacks and dozens of injuries this year, with many incidents occurring near residential areas. Examples include a man attacked outside his home and another mauled in a field near his residence.

Current Precautionary Measures

Bearbells: Many people, even in city centers, carry bearbells attached to bags or clothing to warn bears of their presence and avoid startling them.
Automatic Doors: To prevent bears from entering buildings, many establishments have switched from automatic doors to manual operation, following incidents where bears have entered through automatic entrances.
Reduced Foot Traffic: Cell phone data indicates a 17% decrease in foot traffic in the city center compared to the previous year, reaching levels similar to those during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting people are opting to stay home.

How Drones Will Enhance Safety

The primary strategy involves drones spotting bears from above and broadcasting warnings to individuals on the ground. Operators believe this method will facilitate easy bear detection, especially in suburban areas. The use of sound to drive bears away from residential zones is a key component. Local volunteers with the fire department are pursuing drone operator licenses by the end of the fiscal year to conduct regular patrols in residential areas.

Immediate Safety Measures by Authorities

While awaiting the full implementation of drone technology, authorities are taking interim measures:

Information Dissemination: Providing updates on recent bear sightings and advice on surviving attacks.
Private Security Patrols: Employing private security companies to patrol around schools by car.
Noise Deterrents: Setting off fireworks and firecrackers in bush areas where bears might be present.

Concerns Regarding Bear Hibernation and Urban Food Sources

There is uncertainty about whether bears will enter hibernation as usual in a few weeks. Some officials suggest that bears may delay hibernation or forgo it entirely this year due to their learned ability to access food in urban areas. The discussion also emphasizes the need to address the root causes of food shortages for bears and explore solutions.