Authorities also issued repeated warnings through social media, public announcement vehicles, and emergency alerts, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid approaching the animal. (Representational Image) A bear that sparked days of panic in a Japanese city north of Tokyo and forced the closure of nearly 100 schools has finally been captured, bringing an end to a large-scale search operation that gripped residents and local authorities. The bear was first spotted on Saturday in Utsunomiya, a city of around 500,000 people located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of the Japanese capital. Over the following days, officials received dozens of reports of sightings across the city, including near schools, a public library, a community center, parks, shopping areas, and residential neighborhoods. As concern grew over public safety, city officials took the rare step of closing all 94 city-run elementary and junior high schools on Monday and Tuesday. Authorities also issued repeated warnings through social media, public announcement vehicles, and emergency alerts, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid approaching the animal. Officials advised people to stay indoors or inside vehicles if they encountered the bear, secure doors and windows, and refrain from putting garbage outside at night, which can attract wildlife. The search intensified on Tuesday after the bear was reportedly seen near a university campus, leading to the cancellation of classes. Authorities deployed drones to track the animal's movements from the air while police, hunters, and local officials searched the area on the ground. Later that day, the bear was located on private property. According to city official Ryuhei Irie, a veterinarian successfully subdued the animal using a tranquilizer dart, allowing it to be captured without incident. No injuries were reported during the operation. Officials believe all of the sightings were likely linked to a single bear, though investigations are continuing to rule out the possibility of multiple animals being involved. The incident is the latest example of a growing problem across Japan, where bears are increasingly venturing into towns and cities. Experts say a combination of factors—including an aging and declining rural population, abandoned farmland, and changes in natural food availability—has encouraged wildlife to move closer to human settlements. The scare in Utsunomiya came just days after another bear attacked four people in a residential area of Fukushima, leaving them with moderate injuries. CCTV footage from that incident showed the animal moving through an urban neighborhood before confronting residents. According to Japanese government estimates released in March, the country's bear population has grown to approximately 57,800 animals. In response to the rise in encounters and attacks, authorities have introduced a national bear management strategy that includes monitoring populations and carrying out targeted culls in high-risk areas. Recent years have seen a sharp increase in bear sightings across Japan, with thousands of reports recorded annually. The trend has raised concerns among residents and policymakers alike, particularly as wildlife increasingly appears in densely populated urban environments. For residents of Utsunomiya, however, the capture of the bear marks the end of several days of anxiety that disrupted daily life, closed schools, and put an entire city on alert. Working as Copy Editor at the Business Desk of Times Now Digital. Dedicated towards crafting interesting financial stories. Previously covered financi... View More