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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
Environment
RFI

Bear attacks rise worldwide as climate change shrinks natural habitats

A warning sign at the spot where a Spanish visitor was attacked by a bear cub last month in Shirakawa-go, a popular tourist site in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture, 15 November, 2025. REUTERS - Issei Kato

Bear attacks are on the rise across parts of Asia, Europe and North America, with experts pointing to more encounters between bears and people, disrupted food supplies and habitats reshaped by a warming climate.

Japan has seen the starkest rise in attacks. Seven people were killed in October and authorities counted 88 incidents that month. With 13 deaths so far this year, the country has reported its highest number of bear-related fatalities on record.

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