WILD ANIMALS
Image: High risk of wildlife encounters, Shiretoko - July 2006
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Hokkaido has been facing a dilemma - the richer its natural environment becomes, the closer wild animals come to humans.
Amid Kohdo-Keizai-Seichohki (高度経済成長期: こうどけいざいせいちょうき/ a period of significant economic growth) in the 1970s, Hokkaido promoted infrastructure development, which led to a decline in many wild lives.
However, this trend changed in the 1980s as the natural environment began to improve.
For example, the population of Ezo sika deer (Hokkaido deer) continued to grow and, ironically, they have increasingly posed a threat to agriculture across Hokkaido.
Graph: Damage cost to agriculture and forestry by Ezo sika deer in Hokkaido, 1989-'97
Recently, it has become more and more common to see deer in suburban areas. You may be able to spot Ezo sika deer in Makomanai Park during the summer months. On the other hand, certain rural routes - such as Route 234 or 276 - can be hazardous to drive as motorists frequently encounter deer or foxes. (Source: Ezo Sika Deer Accident Map (pdf) - Hokkaido Development Bureau)
A friend of mine, who drives between Sapporo and Tomakomai every weekend - usually via the express motorway - once tried Route 234 at night, this summer. However, he eventually gave up using it after encountering too many deer and foxes along the way. He told me that it was almost impossible to get through the route.
Graph: Number of traffic accidents involving Ezo sika deer, 2014-'23
Figure compiled by the author using data provided by the Hokkaido Government, エゾシカ管理計画/ Management Plan for Ezo Sika Deer and Ezo Sika Deer Accident Map. According to the sources, nearly 85% of the accidents occurred at night.
I was frightened while driving from Sapporo to Kushiro, the Dohto (Eastern Hokkaido) region, during the 2000s as Ezo sika deer were standing along the roadside and I had no idea whether they might suddenly leap into the driving lane.
Image: Ezo sika deer, Shiretoko - July 2006
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Too many Ezo sika deer have entirely consumed certain plant species, leading to serious concerns about the impact on various insects and small animals, according to Hokkaido Regional Forest Office, Forestry Agency of Japan.
Graph: Estimated population of Ezo sika deer (thousand), 2014-'23
The Hokkaido Government and its residents are struggling to find ways to tackle these issues.
I also saw Ezo-liss (エゾリス/ Hokkaido Squirrels) a couple of times near my parents' house even though my stays were always brief. My parents, of course, have seen them regularly, regardless of whether it was summer or winter. Back then, when I lived in that house, I never saw any squirrels in the area.
Of course, squirrels have long been a familiar sight in larger parks such as Makomanai, Maruyama, and Asahiyama.
Image: Ezo-liss (エゾリス/ Hokkaido Squirrels), Niseko - Winter 2004
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The image below was taken in my parents' back garden during winter. Kita-kitsune (キタキツネ/ Hokkaido Fox) was lying in the garden, basking in the light of the setting sun.
Image: Kita-kitsune, Sapporo - March 2022
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The other day, my mother said she was shocked to discover that all the corns she had been growing in the garden had been eaten by foxes just before it was ready to harvest.
I sometimes saw foxes when I was a teenager but they are now frequently seen in this residential area.
One of the key reasons why wild animals live closer to human may be the improvement of the natural environment.
In the 1980s, it was still common to see litter on the roads and some people - lacking morals awareness - would even willingly throw rubbish onto the streets. Studded tyres generated significant amounts of road dust by scraping pavement surfaces during the thawing season, but their sale was prohibited from 1991. Separate waste collection was introduced and recycling was promoted in the 1990s. Both ethical awareness and regulatory frameworks began to improve around the 1990s.
Source: スパイクタイヤ問題解決の歩み, 札幌市/ The progress in resolving the studded tyre issue, The city of Sapporo, 札幌市環境保全年表/ Timeline of Environmental Protection and Safety Measures in Sapporo City
Many international visitors say that Japan is clean, but it was not always this way. In the past, Japan was not as clean as it is today.
On top of that, as the trees planted in the 1970s grew, the green areas expanded significantly. I would like to introduce a specific example. In the first image below, which shows Mount Moiwa, you can see Hiragishi High School under construction on the hillside. In contrast, the second image is filled with greenery and tall trees, making it impossible to spot Hiragishi High School - only part of Mount Moiwa is recognisable in the picture.
Image: Mount Moiwa - 1979
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Image: Mount Moiwa - 2025
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Similar circumstances can be found throughout Sapporo and it allows wild animals to hide easily in the green areas.
This could be a positive development, since many of us tend to prefer green spaces over concrete and so do many of wild animals.
However, overly close relationships between humans and wild animals may result in serious concerns. As mentioned earlier, agricultural damage is on the rise and many wild animals have been killed in traffic accidents. Ideally, both sides should maintain a respectful distance from one another, although this is extremely difficult in practice.
In recent years, fatal accidents involving Higuma (ヒグマ/Hokkaido brown bears) have occurred one after another. These bears are now occasionally seen even in suburban areas, where they feed on agricultural crops. Higuma is regarded as one of the most serious issues facing Hokkaido today.
Number of Victims Involving Higuma, 2005 - 2025
Figure compiled by the author using data provided by the Hokkaido Government, ヒグマによる人身事故発生状況/ Occurrence of human injuries and fatalities caused by Higuma.
In 2025, a 26-year-old man was lost his life being attacked by a mother bear accompanied by two cubs, while trekking on Mount Rausu, in Shari Town, Shiretoko. In a separate incident, a 52-year-old man, delivering newspapers early in the morning, was fatally attacked in Fukushima Town, Oshima.
In 2023, a 22-year-old student from Hokkaido University was found on Mount Daisengen and was later confirmed to have died as a result of Higuma attack. Additionally, a 52-year-old man was attacked while fishing in Shumarinai Town.
Four people lost their lives due to Higuma attacks in 2021, according to ヒグマによる人身事故発生状況/ Occurrence of human injuries and fatalities caused by Higuma, the Hokkaido Government.
Image: Higuma - Source: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
A highly accurate estimate of the population of Higuma has yet to be conducted. A book that has long summarised research and surveys on Higuma introduces the following information:
- Inukai estimated approximately 3,000 Higuma in Hokkaido in the 1960s
- By the 1980s, the Higuma population was thought to be in decline
- Kadozaki estimated the population at between 1,880 and 2.285 in 1984
- An estimate suggests a population of 5,800±2,300 in 1990
- Hokkaido Government estimated the Higuma population at 10,600±6,700 in 2012
アーバンベア-となりのヒグマと向き合う-, 佐藤善和, 2021, 東京大学出版会, p.23/ Conservation and Management of Urban Bears: People and Bears Coexisting in Hokkaido, Yoshikazu Sato, 2021, Tokyo University Press, p.23.
A noteworthy point is that spring bear culling was conducted from 1966 to 1990 (same source, p.60). This was so effective in reducing the Higuma population that the Hokkaido Government changed its policy and began efforts to preserve Higuma from 1990 onwards.
Consequently, the Higuma population gradually recovered and some Higuma easily enter urban areas, using the rich natural environment to conceal themselves as they approach. Of course, things may not be that simple, but this is one of the key factors behind why Higuma have come to be seen in residential areas.
The Hokkaido Government is tasked with navigating a complex situation and they still have far to go.
However, to avoid tragedies involving Higuma, we must also bear in mind the following points:
- Do not go deep in the mountains alone.
- Do not leave food in the natural environment.
- Do not run away showing your back when encountering Higuma.
(instead, slowly step back while keeping an eye on the Higuma)
Records show that the likelihood of fatality is higher if one is alone when attacked by Higuma. In addition, Higuma have a habit of chasing after anything that turns its back and runs away.
The following guideline applies not only to Higuma, but also to all wild animals in Hokkaido.
- Keep a respectful distance from wild animals.
It is understandable that some people may wish to get closer to observe more closely, take photos or even feed wild animals because they are so beautiful.
However, such actions can ultimately have a negative impact on both humans and animals. Thus, we have to follow the guidelines mentioned above as local governments continue to promote responsible practices.
It was impressive when I saw Ezo sika deer in Makomanai Park, Sapporo, in August 2025, Some grabbed a camera with telephoto lenses and kept considerable distance from two young male deer, while others paid no attention and just kept walking or running along their ways as if they were reacting to crows or sparrows.
However, this does not necessarily mean that everyone living in Hokkaido has a genuine understanding of these guidelines, let alone tourists from outside Hokkaido.
Travelling around Hokkaido, tourists can easily encounter various wild animals, as the areas between cities are surrounded by rich natural environments. While these animals are undoubtedly attractive, any attempt to interact with them should be avoided. Wildlife is beautiful just as it is.
Image: Kita-kitsune, Sapporo - March 2022
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