In response to a record-breaking surge in bear attacks across Japan, residents are increasingly traveling to the mountains of Chichibu, located on the outskirts of Tokyo, to consume bear meat. This trend has led to a rise in the popularity of local restaurants serving the animal as a form of population control.
The consumption of bear meat follows a year of unprecedented human-wildlife conflict in the region. By incorporating the predator into their diet, locals and visitors are attempting to address the ecological imbalance caused by the rising number of bear encounters.
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