TOKYO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government approved a bill on Friday to allow local municipalities to authorize "emergency shootings" when dangerous animals enter populated areas amid rising cases of bear attacks.

A cabinet meeting adopted the amendment bill, aiming to enable quicker and more effective responses compared with current measures, which only allow dangerous animals to be shot when people are in immediate danger.

If the revised law is enacted in the ongoing session of the parliament, the Environment Ministry is expected to enforce it by fall, when bears' appetite peaks ahead of their hibernation.

The new measures will allow local governments to respond to situations such as a bear remaining inside a house or building for a long time.

In fiscal 2023 through March 2024, there were a record 219 bear attacks in the country, six of them fatal, according to official data.

The bill will also set certain conditions for emergency shootings, such as when the quick capturing of an animal is difficult without the use of a firearm and there is no risk of bullets hitting people. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)