Killer bears such as grizzlies and brown bears extend beyond Alaska and Russia. Serene, polite, urbanized Japan was home to one of the most savage bear attacks since the 1800’s. On the northern island of Hokkaido a bear, the ussuri, growing larger than a grizzly ravaged a town in December of 1915.
The bear awoke from early hibernation and made straight for the village of Sankebetsu. Over the week the bear kept returning killing children and women. Though the bear was shot multiple times, like some malevolent demon, it couldn’t be stopped. The 750 pound bear kept returning, literally stalking into people’s homes, attacking them and dragging them away.
Even more horrible, the people were dragged away alive, then eaten including a pregnant women. The town formed a vigilante group to defend the town, shooting the bear multiple times yet the bear was relentless.
Finally professional hunters were called in and dispatched the ravaging bear. Not surprisingly the entire village moved abandoning their homes. A shrine to this week of horror can now be found where the village stood.
Copyright 2022 David Sefton
Photo Credit - Jordan Joplin
