Hokkaido city uses drones to combat bears

With the number of bear attacks increasing across Japan, the city of Nayoro in Hokkaido is now using drones to monitor sightings, guide residents to safety in emergency situations, and enable rapid rescue of the animals.

The Department of Environmental Protection reported a record 219 people attacked by bears across the country in the 2023 fiscal year, which ended in March.

In the current fiscal year, up to the end of June, there have already been attacks nationwide, resulting in 34 victims, including two fatalities. The Nayoro police station recorded over 30 bear sightings within the city in the first five months of this year, about 10 more than in the same period last year.