*** Tokyo Suburb to Equip Schools With Bear Spray | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Tokyo Suburb to Equip Schools With Bear Spray

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Tokyo: As officials ramp up attempts to safeguard residents from increased bear sightings, a Tokyo suburb will distribute approximately 700 bear sprays to schools and community organisations.

Since April, the city of Hachioji has reported 11 bear sightings or signals. In response, officials created an emergency safety plan that includes mobile electric fences and high-pitched sound devices to dissuade bears from accessing populated areas.

Authorities have collaborated with police and local hunting clubs to create a response handbook describing methods for dealing with bear encounters and boosting public safety.

Bear attacks have dramatically increased in Japan in recent years. A record 13 bear-related deaths occurred in the country during the previous fiscal year, and as bears continue to stray into cities, many more fatalities and injuries have already been reported this year.