北海道熊研究会」Hokkaido Bear Research Association 創刊 2013 年１月 25 日
＜北海道熊研究会 会報＞
第 115 号
2022 年 7 月 20 日
北海道熊研究会事務局

北海道野生動物研究所内 (Tel. 011-892-1057)
代表

門崎 允昭

事務局長 Peter Nichols ピーターニコルス氏
幹事長

藤田 弘志氏

ご意見ご連絡は本紙送信 email ではなく、下記の email へお願い致しますe -mail:kadosaki@pop21.odn.ne.jp

会報の 1～112 号以前の号は Website に「北海道野生動物研究所」と入力し、ご覧下さい。

「北海道熊研究会」の Facebook の編集は横山敬子氏が当たります
Facebook 】 https://www.facebook.com/HokkaidoBearResearch Association「北海道熊研究会」Hokkaido Bear Research Association の活動目的
熊の実像について調査研究し、熊による人畜及びその他経済的被害を予防しつつ、人と熊が棲み分けた状態で共存を図り、狩猟以外では熊を殺さない社会の形成を図るための提言と啓発活動を行う。 この考えの根底は、この大地は総ての生き物の共有物であり、生物間での食物連鎖の宿命と疾病原因生物以外については、この地球上に生を受けたものは生有る限りお互いの存在を容認しようと言う生物倫理(生物の一員として人が為すべき正しき道)に基づく理念による。

会報 113 号で、「北海道の羆問題を考える会」が道の羆問題対応につい北海道知事に対し、書面で質問した内容と、それに対する知事の回答書（全文）を、皆さんにお知らせしましたが、その全文を、本会報関連の Facebookと Twitter を編集して下さっている横山敬子氏が、全文を英訳して下さったので、本報にそれを、掲載致します。分かり易い、綺麗な英文ですので、皆さん、是非とも、ご一読して下さい（門崎允昭記）
質問は 11 項目です
＜次頁から英文です＞

On March 24, 2022, the “Hokkaido Bear Research Association” asked the Hokkaido Governorabout the Hokkaido’s bear problem and on June 14, 2022, we received a response from theperson in charge of oral and written answers.

Regarding :Question 1

At the end of May 1989 (33 years ago), Hokkaido announced the total abolition of the spring
bear extermination system due to the decrease in the number of brown bears, and began a “survey toestablish measures to prevent human and economic damage” caused by brown bears. In the 33
years since then, the survey has continued, but no recommendations for brown bear countermeasures
have been made.

Response to Question 1 from the Governor
From the perspective of Hokkaido's biodiversity, brown bears are an important component of theecosystem, and we have been implementing protection and management measures based on the needto maintain healthy local populations in the future. Based on past and current brown bearcountermeasures, the Hokkaido Government reviewed the “Hokkaido Brown Bear CountermeasuresPlan” (April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2022) last fiscal year and formulated the “Hokkaido Brown Bear
Countermeasures Plan (2nd)” (formulated in March 2022, hereafter “the Plan”). The Plan
incorporates the Hokkaido Government’s past and current initiatives. Please refer to the relevant
sections of the Plan (pages 1-3, etc.) for a summary of the past and current initiatives of theHokkaido Government.
URL of the main text of the plan: https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ks/skn/higuma/higuma.html

Question 2
In the 33 years of surveys conducted from 1989 to the current day, what specific measures havebeen taken to “prevent human economic damage” through DNA analysis of body hair samples forindividual identification and video camera recordings?

Answer to Question 2 from the Governor
The identification of individuals by analysis of genes collected from body hair is conducted by theHokkaido Prefectural Government for the purpose of estimating population density using the hairtrap method and identifying the perpetrator individuals in the event of an accident. The former
method is recognized as an important survey because its usefulness has been established worldwide
in assessing the conservation status of each local population and examining the direction ofconservation management by combining it with other density indices to estimate population size. In
addition to genetic analysis, we also use video data from an automatic camera installed next to thebody hair sampling equipment in the population survey. For the purpose of the survey (e.g., toidentify parents and children), we have identified cases in which the same individual has caused
damage over a wide area, and we have also identified individuals that have caused damage to thesame farmland over multiple years, and we use this information to understand the actual damage andconsider countermeasures. In addition, we have also utilized the results to verify the elimination ofproblematic individuals, such as a case in which the genes of a captured individual were determined
to be the same as those collected from the scene of a human accident that occurred in the current year
and the previous year.

Question 3
Regarding the brown bear disturbance in which four people were injured by a brown bear in
Higashi Ward, Sapporo City on June 18, 2021, there is no way that a brown bear could injure
residents in an urban area if you have 33 years of experience in research and investigation.

Question 3-1.
Since a brown bear was sighted on May 29, you should have continued to investigate themovement of brown bears at that time, and at the same time, you should have identified the points
and areas where brown bears are expected to enter the urban area, and installed electric fences inthose areas to prevent them from entering the urban area. Could you explain in detail why suchmeasures were not taken.

Regarding Question 3-1
The City of Sapporo has formulated the “Sapporo Basic Plan for Brown Bears” and isimplementing measures based on this plan.

Question 3-2.
The brown bear’s poor and negligent initial response caused it to expand its range of activities,
and it finally roamed a residential area on June 18.
This was the reason the brown bear expanded its range of activity and finally roamed theresidential area on June 18. However, chasing and cornering the brown bear caused it to panic, as thesaying goes, “a cornered rat will bite a cat,” and as a result, as many as four people were injured.
Could you tell us if you were aware that chasing and cornering a brown bear would be
dangerous because it would cause it to panic?

The Governor's response to Question 3-2

Regarding the dangers that may arise from chasing brown bears around, in general terms, weconsider them to be possible.

Question 3-3.
Why didn’t Hokkaido’s brown bear experts, who have 33 years of research experience, rush to thesite when brown bears were roaming in this residential area? Could you explain in detail why you
did not rush to the site and take the lead there?

Answer to Question 3-3
As mentioned in our response to Question 3-1, in the case of the Higashi Ward of Sapporo City inJune last year, the city took the lead in ensuring the safety of residents as the top priority, incooperation with a specialized brown bear protection contractor, trappers and police. When requested
by a municipality, the Hokkaido Prefectural Government will, if necessary, provide the necessary
support to the municipalities. The Hokkaido Prefectural Government dispatches experts from theHokkaido Research Organization and other organizations as needed to provide advice and guidanceon countermeasures when requested by a municipality.

Question 3-4.
I heard that there are several brown bear experts in Hokkaido. Even if none of the specialists wereable to attend the scene, police officers who are not brown bear specialists were responding to thesituation on site, so they could have given instructions as specialists.
Could you tell us in detail what kind of instructions were given to the police officers on site and fromwhat point in time, so that we can understand the timeline.

Answer to Question 3-4
As mentioned in our response to Question 3-1, Sapporo City has formulated the “Sapporo Brown
Bear Basic Plan” to deal with the case of the brown bear in Higashi ward, Sapporo City, in June lastyear.

Question 4

Regarding the damage caused by brown bears to grazing cattle in Shibecha Town, it seems that
only video recording was done.
Why didn’t they take prompt measures to deter brown bears by using electric fences?
Could you explain in detail so that we can understand the reasons in chronological order.

The Governor's response to Question 4
The “Act on Special Measures for Prevention of Damage Caused by Birds and Animals toAgriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, etc.” provides a subsidy system so that local municipalities andaffected farmers can take measures against agricultural damage as you mentioned in your question.
Since 2018, when the damage to cattle was first confirmed in Shibecha Town, the town and thepromotion bureau have been working in close cooperation to consider various possibilities and todevelop countermeasures. The town and the promotion bureau have been working together toimplement countermeasures since 2019, when the damage to cattle was first confirmed.

Question 5.
Can the deterrence of brown bears be achieved by increasing the number of brown bears killed?
If so, please explain in detail and provide evidence.

Answer to Question 5 from the Governor
The plan states in “Chapter 2 Promotion of Management”, “2 Matters Concerning Adjustment ofNumbers” (pages 11 and 12) that Unlike brown bears are different from Ezo sika deer in that most of
the collection conflicts with humans are caused by so-called problem individuals that have learned tocling to garbage and crops, and that unless the problem individuals are removed even if thepopulation is reduced, pressure will continue. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the total
population while controlling the pressure by identifying and eliminating the problematic individuals.
Therefore, at this point, we will continue to establish methods for estimating and verifying problem
individuals and promote management aimed at eliminating problem individuals.
Therefore, the target population is defined as “problem individuals (Stage 1-3),” and the maximum
number of animals to be captured is to be observed in principle. The elimination of problem animals
is important for the control of the smash and grab.

With regard to population control, Recently, in all regions of the province, we have seen an increasein agricultural damage, and an increase in different forms of population control, such as appearance
in areas adjacent to human living areas and urban areas. Therefore, we will examine the latest
scientific data on habitat conditions and other factors, and, taking into account the opinions ofexperts and other relevant factors, we will begin studying the feasibility of population adjustments toachieve the objectives of this plan as soon as possible. The plan states that the government will
"begin to study at an early stage the feasibility of population adjustment and the ideal way to achieve
the objectives of this plan, taking into consideration the opinions of experts.

Question 6
Regarding the budget for the new fiscal year related to brown bears in Hokkaido, could you tell us
the cost of measures to deter their appearance using electric fences, DNA analysis, video camera,
ICT (AI), and the percentage of these costs to the total budget ?

Governor's Response to Question 6
Hokkaido’s FY2022 budget is available at the following website.
https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/sm/zsi/96318.html In “Promotion of comprehensive brown bearcountermeasures” on page 35 of the “List of Priority Policies,” 23,305,000 yen is appropriated for“Promotion of brown bear countermeasures” to promote comprehensive brown bear countermeasuresin Hokkaido based on the “Hokkaido Brown Bear Management Plan (Phase 2)”.
In addition, on page 53 of the same document, under “Demonstration of brown bear resistantcommunity development using ICT”, 14,823,000 yen was appropriated for the “Demonstration
model project for brown bear resistant community development using ICT”, which will be used forunderstanding the actual conditions of brown bear habitat using ICT, etc., demonstrating effective
measures against brown bears coming out and building technology to prevent brown bears fromcoming out.
The “expense for measures to deter appearance of brown bears by electric fences” you inquired
about will be implemented by municipalities with financial support from the national government
based on the "Act on Special Measures for Prevention of Damage to Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries,etc. by Birds and Beasts”.
Among these, “expenses for DNA analysis”, “expenses for videotaping”, and “expenses for ICT(AI)” are part of the projects planned to be ordered as commissioned work, and the commissioned
companies will allocate the expenses in the contract amount.

Question 7.
It seems that a new department for brown bear control will be established.
Could you explain in detail what kind of measures will be taken?

The Governor's response to Question 7
Until last fiscal year, one assistant section chief, one section chief, two chiefs, and two staff incharge in the Wildlife and Birds Section of the Natural Environment Division were in charge ofbrown bear countermeasures, with one chief and one staff in charge exclusively in charge.
This year, the Natural Environment Wildlife Division of the Bureau of Natural Environment The
office is staffed with a director, a manager, an assistant director, and a person in charge of brownbear countermeasures.

Question 8
After 33 years, the committee, which is made up of only experts who neglected to observe brown
bears, has still failed to come up with effective measures to deter the appearance of brown bears, andhas also failed to come up with appropriate measures to deter the appearance of brown bears that arein line with their habits. The result has been that the brown bears have repeatedly appeared in thearea, causing a variety of damage and increasing the extent of damage.
In order to eliminate the current 33 years of deadlock and incorporate new knowledge and ideas, wewould like to ask the governor to establish a system to plan realistic and effective brown bearcountermeasures by recruiting people who know the situation in the field and are familiar with thehabits of brown bears, and by establishing dedicated brown bear countermeasure teams at the centraland local agencies.
We would like to ask the governor's opinion on this matter. If the current composition of thecommittee members remains unchanged, we will not be able to deter brown bears from appearing in
the future, and the damage will only continue to increase.

The Governor's response to Question 8
The Hokkaido Brown Bear Conservation and Management Study Group (hereafter referred to asthe “Study Group”) was established in order to properly promote the Hokkaido Brown Bear
Management Plan. It is to properly promote the Hokkaido Brown Bear Management Plan.
For this purpose, the committee was established by the Hokkaido Prefectural Government to hear theopinions and assessments of the brown bear habitat situation and the measures implemented by theHokkaido Prefectural Government from academic experts and others based on their professional andscientific knowledge, and to reflect them in the Hokkaido's brown bear management plan. (Article 1of the Outline for Establishment of the Study Group)
The members of the committee are requested by the Province based on their academic activities intheir respective areas of expertise and the results of protection and management in their respectiveregions.
On the other hand, this fiscal year, the Hokkaido Prefectural Government started the “HokkaidoBrown Bear Emergency Expert Dispatch Program” to dispatch pre-registered experts tomunicipalities to provide advice from a professional perspective on cases that are highly urgent anddifficult to solve, such as the frequent appearance of brown bears in human habitats and thecontinuous damage they cause to agricultural lands. The "Hokkaido Brown Bear Emergency Expert
Dispatch System" will be started.
The Hokkaido Prefectural Government, through the Hokkaido Prefectural Bureau of Promotion, iscurrently in the process of identifying local manpower. The Hokkaido Prefectural Government willcontinue to improve the brown bear countermeasures in Hokkaido through these efforts, taking into
consideration the opinions we have received.

End