Attack on Hiking Trail
A 26-year-old man from Tokyo was killed after being attacked by a brown bear while hiking on Mount Rausu in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko Peninsula.
According to reports, the incident happened on Thursday morning, August 14, 2025. The climber, identified as 26-year-old Sota Keisuke, was walking ahead of his companion on a trail about 550 meters above sea level, Asahi Shimbun reported.
Keisuke reportedly called out to his friend, who then saw him struggling with a bear.
The animal dragged him into nearby bushes as he bled from his thigh. His companion, who was unharmed, immediately alerted police at around 11:10 a.m.
Search and Discovery
Authorities began searching early the next morning.
Rescuers found Keisuke’s personal belongings, including a wallet, hat, wristwatch, and blood-stained shirt, scattered in the bushes near the trail.
Bloodstains were also discovered on the ground and trees, suggesting he had been dragged through the area.
His body was later found on Friday afternoon, August 15, about 200 meters from the hiking trail. Police confirmed his death at 3:20 p.m.
Bears Shot Near the Body
Hunters assisting the search encountered an adult brown bear with two cubs close to where Keisuke’s body was discovered.
NHK reported that all three animals were shot dead in the afternoon of August 15, as they posed a threat to the rescue team.
Police said fur found on the victim would undergo DNA testing to determine if it belonged to the bear responsible for the attack.
Hikers Evacuated from Mountain
Following the attack, police closed all three trails leading to Mount Rausu. Dozens of climbers who had already entered the mountain were instructed to take refuge at the Okhotsk Observatory near the site.
By the evening of August 14, helicopters had evacuated 71 people from the area.
Local authorities also issued a brown bear warning for the mountain that night.
Watch the video here:
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