The Japanese government will now allow hunters to shoot bears in populated areas after dangerous human encounters with the wild animals hit record levels. The revised wildlife protection and management law, which was approved by the cabinet Friday, allows ’emergency shootings’ following complaints that hunters were hampered by red tape. The environment ministry hopes to […]
Tag: hokkaido
Japan Adds Bears to List of Animals Subject to Subsidized Culling
In response to a surge in bear attacks across Japan, the government has announced plans to add bears to the list of animals eligible for culling with state subsidies. However, this decision has sparked controversy, with advocates urging for a more compassionate approach to wildlife management. The Environment Ministry’s panel of experts has recommended the […]
Summer Wildlife in Japan
For many people, Japan conjures up images of high technology, fast-paced modern cities, ancient temples and shrines, unique cuisine and intriguing traditions; but Japan is also well worth visiting for its wildlife, particularly during the summer months when escaping from the hot sweltering cities to the cooler, refreshing countryside is rewarding in itself. Not only […]
Little Ringed Plover – Charadrius dubius
This morning’s weather was terrible, but I thought I would go to Isahaya and try to see the immature Steller’s Sea Eagle that arrived last Thursday. I’d seen heaps of these raptors in Hokkaido so it wasn’t a big deal for me personally (hence waiting this long to go and try spotting it!), but it […]
Mammals of Eastern Hokkaido
During our time in Eastern Hokkaido we saw quite a few terrestrial and marine mammals, and managed to get some photos of a couple.
Blakiston’s Fish Owl – Bubo blakistoni
We had already listed two of Hokkaido‘s “Big Three”, Red-crowned Crane & Steller’s Sea Eagle, on the first full day of the Hokkaido leg of the tour. So to complete the set all we needed was the Blakiston’s Fish Owl, which we got on our third night on the island.