Overview
- A 70-year-old hunting-association member working on Hanamaki’s municipal nuisance-wildlife team was attacked at about 1:05 p.m. on Feb. 13 in Tochinai near homes.
- Responders had just fired several fireworks toward a wooded area to drive the bear away when it suddenly charged, according to Hanamaki Police.
- The man suffered injuries to his face and head and was airlifted by doctor helicopter; he was conscious, and local reports described serious wounds though not immediately life-threatening.
- Police and hunters followed footprints and later killed an adult bear several hundred meters away in neighboring Kitakami, which authorities believe was the same animal.
- Prefectural officials said this is the first confirmed bear-related human injury in Iwate this year, and incidents during the hibernation season in February are uncommon.