Authorities in Fukushima, Japan, are stepping up their efforts to track down a bear officially deemed to be smarter than the average bear.
The one-meter-long black bear in question is considered dangerous, having attacked four men and women in the Sasakino district, and has been spotted moving between business and residential premises.
As per The Guardian, on June 3, the bear was spotted on CCTV chasing and mauling an employee in a car park, who was saved when a passing driver drove their car at the bear. But, in an unfortunate twist, the bear’s escape path took it directly through an office building, where it surprised and attacked an unwitting man and absconded once again.
After a pursuit, the bear was cornered in a factory. Local officials surrounded the building and considered deploying firearms, though it was noted that the factory was full of flammable materials, and that gunfire may end up burning the place down.
Tranquillizer darts and box traps were deployed around the site instead, with officials attempting to catch it alive. The bear was even hit by a tranq dart, though observers were left baffled after it shrugged off the drugs with no visible effects.
Security camera footage shows a #bear attacking a man near the main gate of Fukushima Seiko factory in #Japan. The bear attack left four people injured, #police and media reports said. pic.twitter.com/U15TVIDLbR
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) June 3, 2026
The bear then appears to have outwitted its hunters. It was first spotted turning on a faucet and drinking water, before unlocking and opening a secure window and slipping away. An inspection of the premises after the bear left revealed telltale claw marks around the lock, which it had somehow figured out how to open.
“An extremely intelligent bear”
At an emergency press conference reported by News on Japan, Mayor Yuki Baba emphasized that his city is dealing with a bear of formidable intelligence:
“This bear was seen turning on a faucet to drink water and appeared capable of opening a locked window by itself. I believe it was an extremely intelligent bear. … 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.”
Fukushima promptly went into lockdown, as there was no way of knowing the bear’s location or its state of mind. Local schools were ordered to be closed, with all doors and windows secured against potential bear intrusion.
With no sightings since Thursday, the schools reopened today, albeit with heightened security and warnings to students. As of writing, the bear is still on the loose and its whereabouts remain a mystery. Authorities are urging caution, particularly during the early morning and evening.
