Some conservationists are quick to point out that human intervention has wreaked havoc on certain animal species.
However, without human intervention, certain animal populations can grow out of control.
And Japan is desperately looking for solutions to this dangerous wildlife conundrum.
Japanese officials are seeking hunters to manage its growing bear population
From the beginning of time, humans have competed with predators such as bears, wolves, and wild cats for the top spot on the food chain. Early hunters constantly developed methods to keep these predators away from campsites to protect their families and food supplies.
Although most human populations have come a long way since those hunter-gathering days, the problem of rogue predators attacking humans remains. To make matters worse, many people in urban and suburban areas have no idea how to avoid or repulse these beasts.
In Japan, for example, bear attacks have steadily increased, with officials claiming that 219 bear attacks occurred in the first four months of 2024 alone. Of those 219 bear attacks, six people died from their injuries.
These gruesome attacks have sent shockwaves across the country, with Japanese officials scrambling to keep these predators at bay. One solution that has gained traction involves making it easier for citizens to shoot bears.
As it stands, Japanese law only permits licensed hunters to fire their guns after obtaining the approval of a police officer. These convoluted laws make it very hard for hunters to hunt and effectively control animal populations.
In the upcoming parliamentary session, political experts expect lawmakers to approve a policy that would significantly streamline this process, giving licensed hunters and gun owners more leeway when it comes to shooting bears. For example, if a bear presents a clear and present danger to humans, the new law would permit the shooting of the bear without approval from a law enforcement officer.
However, some hunters fear that these new policies effectively turn hunters into public safety officials. These people would become first responders to bear attacks, potentially making them liable if their bullets cannot stop the bear in question.
Satoshi Saito, executive director of the Hokkaido Hunters’ Association addressed these concerns, claiming, “It is scary and quite dangerous to encounter a bear. It is never guaranteed that we can kill a bear by shooting.” Saito then posed the question, “If we miss the vital point to stop the bear from moving . . . it will run away and may attack other people . . . If it then attacks a person, who will be responsible for that?”
These concerns represent the cloudiness that exists in Japan and many other nations with restrictive gun laws. Lawmakers in these places have a duty to clarify these concerns in order to make their constituents safer.
Japan’s bear problem is a symptom of much bigger issues
In Japan and some other East Asian nations, the population has started to decline as Millennials and Gen Z’ers fail to reproduce at the same rate as their ancestors.
This population collapse has allowed bears and other wildlife to encroach on previously bustling communities.
Giving hunters and civilians more rights may help to temporarily reduce bear populations, however, it fails to address the larger concerns that have created this problem.
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