大相撲おおずもう 九重部屋ここのえべやの夏合宿なつがっしゅくが中止ちゅうしに相次あいつぐヒグマ目撃もくげきで北海道ほっかいどう

Last week, after a man was killed by a brown bear in Fukushima Town, Hokkaido, there have been a series of brown bear sightings. As a result, the annual summer training camp of the Kokonoe Sumo Stable, which has been held in the town every year, has been cancelled.

Fukushima Town is the hometown of former Yokozuna Chiyonofuji, and the Kokonoe stable, where he served as stablemaster, holds a summer training camp in the town every year.

This years summer training camp was scheduled to be held for 12 days starting from the 5th of next month, but according to the town, on the 12th of this month, a man delivering newspapers in the town was found dead after being attacked by a brown bear, and since then there have been a series of brown bear sightings in the area. After discussions with the Kokonoe stable, it was decided to cancel the summer training camp.

Every year, many spectators visit the Kokonoe stables summer training camp, making it a summer tradition in the town. An elderly local man in his 80s said, Its disappointing because when the summer camp is canceled, the town loses its energy.

I hope the event will be held again from next year if the bear problem is resolved, they said.

Fukushima Town Measures such as cutting down walnut trees favored by brown bears are being implemented. In Fukushima Town, Hokkaido, after casualties caused by brown bears, sightings in urban areas have continued, such as garbage dumps being raided. As a response, measures such as cutting down trees whose fruits are favored by brown bears are being carried out.

On July 14th, near a house about 400 meters from a garbage dump in Mitsutake, Fukushima Town, which was believed to have been ransacked by a brown bear, representatives from a local construction company, at the request of the town, cut down walnut trees—which brown bears are known to favor as food—on the 17th.

In addition, work was carried out to cut down the overgrown grass in vacant lots and other areas around the town so that brown bears would not have places to hide.

The man in his 60s who did the work said, Since bears come down from the mountains aiming for walnuts, we remove them as soon as possible if requested.

In response to the recent bear attacks, we have received numerous requests for tree felling, he said.

On the 17th as well, the town once again called for cooperation via the disaster prevention administrative radio, asking residents to please refrain from putting out garbage that could attract bears in advance, and only put it out on the day of collection.