Bears are back, warnings issued by the prefecture

Countryside living means that there are always some wild animals around, and those include bears out here in rural Niigata. Just a few days ago there was a bear attack in part of Minamiuonuma, and thankfully it wasn't fatal -- but it was a good reminder of the steps to take when you possibly (but hopefully never) come face to face with one.

The recent attack was covered on various media outlets.

Niigata Prefecture issued a "Bear Spotting Warning" on May 15th, and designated the two months from May 15th to July 14th as "Bear Spotting Intensification Month." Additionally, they've disseminated a brochure about things to be aware of when it comes to bears. The local Minamiuonuma city office also has a regional "bear map" tracker, as does Niigata Prefecture as a whole. They're useful resources to get an idea of where to be a little extra careful. 

A lot of them are fairly straightforward, like wearing something that generates noise (bells, radio), and avoiding tossing fresh trash. 

Stay vigilant and be aware of your surroundings if you live in a bear-prone region!