• A bear in Utsunomiya prompted the closure of all 94 public primary and middle schools for two days.
• The bear was captured after multiple sightings near schools and residential areas, with no injuries reported.
• Japan has seen a significant rise in bear sightings and attacks, prompting government action to address the issue.
• The bear's behavior reflects environmental changes affecting natural food sources and increasing urban encounters.

A wandering bear that frightened residents of Utsunomiya, Japan, caused all 94 public primary and junior high schools to close for two consecutive days. The city administration received numerous reports of sightings starting Saturday, including around parks and schools. Residents were urged to seek shelter and avoid outdoor areas as officials organized a large-scale search, employing social media broadcasts and public announcement vehicles for awareness, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

The bear, which was tracked using drone technology, was ultimately found on private property and captured with a tranquilizer gun, city officials reported. The bear had been spotted on a university campus earlier in the day, prompting immediate safety measures including school cancellations. "Nobody was injured," confirmed a city official, highlighting the efficiency of the response that included local hunters and wildlife experts, as noted by CBS News and Reuters.

Bear encounters in Japan have escalated significantly, with the population tripling since 2012 amid declining hunting activities. Authorities reported record bear-related injuries in the previous fiscal year, emphasizing a growing concern for public safety as bears venture into urban spaces. Local experts attribute this trend to environmental changes affecting bears' natural food sources, thus leading them to seek food in human-inhabited areas, according to CBS News and Reuters.