‘Clever’ bear that can use tap and open windows on rampage despite being shot with tranq
A bear that can open windows and use taps is on the loose in Fukushima, Japan, after attacking four people – it is still at large despite being shot with tranquiliser
A bear with the ability to open windows and operate taps is on the run after launching attacks on four people in Japan. The “extremely intelligent” beast is currently at large in Fukushima, Japan, where police and hunters are on a mission to find it following its rampage through an office block and a factory.
CCTV footage from Wednesday captured the bear chasing and subsequently mauling a worker in a company car park, until a motorist frightened the creature off by driving towards it.
The startled bear then made a beeline for a nearby office building, attacking another man before making a swift exit. The bear went on to injure two more people before entering an electronics factory. Here, workers witnessed the smart animal using its paws to turn on a tap for a drink, reports the Mirror.
Specialists armed with tranquiliser guns were dispatched to the factory, and four traps were set up at the entrance. However, the crafty creature managed to evade them all by unlocking a window and making a break for freedom. Media reports displayed images of scratch marks around the lock.
During an emergency press conference on Thursday, officials from Fukushima informed reporters that the bear had been hit with a tranquilliser dart, but for some unknown reason, the anaesthetic had failed to take effect.
“This bear was seen turning on a faucet to drink water and appeared capable of opening a locked window by itself,” stated Yuki Baba, the city mayor. “I believe it was an extremely intelligent bear.”
Government officials, police, hunters and drones have been mobilised in the hunt for the bear, which remained on the loose as of Friday.
“The bear was in an agitated state, creating an extremely difficult situation where we had to proceed with caution while monitoring its condition. The city will continue to work in coordination with relevant agencies and do our utmost to ensure safety,” Baba stated.
Local schools were instructed to shut down on Thursday but have reopened today, with teachers reportedly taking additional measures such as locking ground-floor windows and doors.
Bears have claimed 13 lives in Japan from April last year to March this year, with serious attacks reaching a record high of 238. Alterations in food sources, climate conditions and rural populations are believed to be contributing to the rising number of human encounters.
In response to the surge in bear attacks, Japan has recently amended their firearm laws to permit shots to be fired in residential areas during emergency situations. However, no firearms were utilised in this case as the factory where the bear was suspected to be hiding housed flammable materials.
