A “bear entering a supermarket” incident occurred in Akita Prefecture, Japan! Some netizens suggested using tranquilizer guns, which has been mocked as if everyone is really a “death god elementary school student”!

In recent years, the increasing frequency of Japanese brown bears invading urban areas has attracted considerable attention. Last year, there were over 4,000 reports of bear sightings, one of which involved a bear attacking a passerby, resulting in varying degrees of injury to four people. This raises the question: can’t hunters in Japan handle such situations?

In fact, it is not that easy. Due to Japan’s Animal Protection and Management Law, the use of firearms is prohibited in urban areas, leaving hunters powerless in emergencies. Furthermore, even if a hunter does take action, they could face the risk of having their license revoked if they accidentally injure property. Against this legal backdrop, there was the recent news of a bear invading a supermarket in Akita Prefecture.

Two days ago, a supermarket in Akita Prefecture was visited by a bear weighing 70 kilograms. Surveillance footage showed the bear entering the supermarket from the parking lot. One morning, a staff member found traces of the bear and was unfortunately attacked and injured, sustaining various degrees of harm to the head and face. The supermarket immediately activated its evacuation procedures, while the bear feasted in the meat section, enjoying a “buffet.”

The bear strode straight into the supermarket and eventually hid in the stock area. To capture this “intruder,” the police dispatched a large number of personnel, first using drones to confirm its location, and then setting up hunting traps at night. This thrilling bear capture “operation” finally came to a successful conclusion two days later. During the entire incident, the bear not only navigated the human world with ease but also bit one person and ate and drank in the supermarket for two days.

Some people think that it is possible to handle such events with a tranquilizer gun, but it is nearly impossible to implement. The use of a tranquilizer gun not only requires veterinary qualifications but also anesthesia training and at least ten years of hunting experience. In stark contrast, characters in Japanese anime seem to be able to use “watch-type tranquilizer guns” effortlessly, putting their opponents to sleep with a single shot. This inevitably makes one sigh at how complicated the operation of a real tranquilizer gun is.

Looking to the future, the “bear alert” will likely continue to sound frequently. The urban sprawl of humans is constantly expanding, forcing natural environments to shrink, which leads bears to enter communities in search of food.

Bears not only have a keen sense of smell, but their running speed can reach up to 60 kilometers per hour. In such circumstances, even without legal restrictions, it is extremely difficult for ordinary people to accurately hunt bears with guns.

This situation emphasizes the challenges faced by humans coexisting with wild animals. How to protect public safety without destroying the ecological balance has become an urgent and difficult issue.

This requires not only legal considerations and adjustments but also enhancing the public’s understanding and awareness of wildlife, as well as effective management and strategies from relevant departments.

This is a long-term campaign that requires the joint participation and efforts of all sectors of society; only through understanding and coexistence can we find the best solutions for harmony between humans and nature.