“We have no choice but to take the bear’s life. Every time, I can’t help but pray for nature.” The leader of the Sapporo Brown Bear Control Team, who handles brown bear removal in Sapporo City, expressed these feelings about the control measures. The leader also serves as a director of the Sapporo Branch of the Hokkaido Hunters’ Association.
Sapporo Brown Bear Control Team
The Sapporo Brown Bear Control Team is a specialized wildlife management unit established in Hokkaido, Japan, following a fatal bear attack in 1970. Its primary role is to monitor and manage the local brown bear population to prevent dangerous human-bear encounters in and around the city. The team conducts patrols, public education, and, when necessary, humane removal of bears that venture into urban areas.
Sapporo City
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, which was officially founded in 1868 during the Meiji era as a planned modern city. It is internationally famous for its annual Sapporo Snow Festival and as the birthplace of Sapporo Beer, with its brewing history dating back to 1876. The city’s organized layout, featuring wide boulevards and Odori Park, reflects its deliberate development as a political and economic center for Hokkaido.
Hokkaido Hunters’ Association
The Hokkaido Hunters’ Association is an organization that supports and regulates the hunting community on Japan’s northernmost island. Historically, it has played a role in managing wildlife populations and promoting sustainable hunting practices, which have been a part of Hokkaido’s Ainu and settler cultures for centuries. Today, it focuses on hunter education, licensing, and conservation efforts.
Sapporo Branch
I am unable to provide a specific summary for “Sapporo Branch” as this name is too general and could refer to many different institutions (e.g., a bank, a university campus, a government office, or a company). For a proper summary, please provide the full name of the institution, such as “The Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Sapporo Branch” or “The Bank of Japan, Sapporo Branch.”