A warning for black bears has been active in the area since April 20
Credit: Kyodo via AP Images
NEED TO KNOW
- A male tourist was attacked by a black bear while visiting a popular lake
- The man, who was bitten in his right arm, was airlifted to the hospital
- A warning for black bears has been active in the area since April 20
A tourist was attacked by a black bear while visiting a popular lake.
The male tourist, believed to be in his 30s, was injured by an Asiatic black bear at Lake Towada in Japan on Saturday, Aug. 22, around 10 a.m. local time, according to a release from the Aomori Prefectural Office.
The man, who was bitten in his right arm, was transported to a hospital. He was conscious and able to talk after the incident, officials said.
The attack occurred near the observation deck overlooking the lake.
Credit: getty
Kyodo News reported that the man was taking a walk when the bear encounter occurred. He fled to a nearby facility, where an emergency call was made.
The outlet stated that he was airlifted to a hospital. The size of the bear remains unknown at this time.
A warning for Asiatic black bears has been active in the district since April 20. It is expected to last through Nov. 30.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Asiatic black bears and brown bears can be found throughout the country. The bears are generally active from March to November.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
To avoid close encounters with bears, the organization advises people not to travel alone, to make noise, to be extra cautious during poor weather conditions and near streams, and to carry bear spray.
Lake Towada is located in three prefectures, including Iwate and Akita.
The Iwate Prefectural Office stated in a release on Friday, Aug. 21, that there have been 11 incidents involving Asiatic black bears between April 1 and Aug. 4.
If attacked by a black bear, people are advised to cover their face and head and lie down on the ground.
Last year, bear attacks in Japan reached a record high.
Read the full article here
