The hunt for a black bear spotted more than a dozen times in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya ended in the animal's capture on Tuesday (June 9).

Sightings of the bear had prompted city officials to close all 94 of Utsunomiya's municipal primary and middle schools for a second straight day.

Aerial footage showed hunters tranquillising the bear with a dart gun before loading it onto a truck and driving away.

Bear attacks, including in urban areas, have increased in Japan, prompting the government to set up a task force this year to reduce casualties. In the 2025 fiscal year, the country reported a record 238 victims, including 13 deaths, according to the environment ministry.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

UTSUNOMIYA, TOCHIGI PREFECTURE, JAPAN (JUNE 9, 2026) (NIPPON TV / JAPAN - No use Japan / Cannot re-use after 30 days from transmission without permission from Nippon TV)

1. AERIAL SHOT OF HUNTER PERCHED ON WALL AIMING TRANQUILLISER DART GUN (MUTE)

2. AERIAL SHOT OF HUNTER JUMPING DOWN FROM WALL (MUTE)

3. AERIAL SHOT OF BEAR IN GARDEN OF HOUSE (MUTE)

4. AERIAL SHOT OF HUNTERS LOOKING AT TRANQUILLISED BEAR

5. AERIAL SHOT OF HUNTER POKING BEAR

6. AERIAL SHOT OF RESIDENTIAL AREA WHERE BEAR HUNT TOOK PLACE

7. VARIOUS AERIAL SHOTS OF HUNTERS CARRYING BEAR

8. AERIAL SHOT OF TRUCK WITH BOX TRAP REVERSING

9. AERIAL SHOT OF HUNTERS WITH TRANQUILLISED BEAR LYING ON GROUND

10. AERIAL SHOT OF TRUCK REVERSING / HUNTERS LOADING BEAR IN TO TRUCK

11. AERIAL SHOT OF HUNTERS LOOKING AT BEAR IN TRUCK

12. AERIAL SHOT OF RESIDENTIAL AREA / BOX TRAP ON TRUCK

13. AERIAL SHOT OF TRUCK DRIVING AWAY