Current Status of Conservation
Species Regulations
Red List
Ministry of the Environment: Endangered Local Population (LP)
Tokushima Prefecture: Endangered (CR)
Kochi Prefecture: Endangered (CR+EN)
Ehime Prefecture: Endangered (EN)
Capture
1986 Hunting ban in Kochi Prefecture
1987 Hunting ban in Tokushima Prefecture
1994 Shikoku-wide hunting ban
Other (bylaw)
Kochi Prefecture: Designated as Rare Wild Fauna and Flora Species
Land Regulations
National Designated Tsurugi Mountain Range Wildlife Sanctuary (11,817 ha)
By targeting a large stretch of habitat, this sanctuary was established to protect the diverse fauna inhabiting the area, including raptors such as Hodgson's hawk-eagle, Asiatic black bears, and other large birds and animals whose sphere of activity extends over a wide area.
Shikoku Mountains Wildlife Corridor and Adjacent Forest Reserves (10,570 ha)
Forest reserves have been established within national forests by the Shikoku Regional Forest Office in order to conserve and manage pristine natural forests and habitats for valuable wild plants and animals. In addition, the Shikoku Mountain Range Wildlife Corridor has been established to connect wildlife habitats that have been fragmented by human activities and to ensure biodiversity by allowing the movement of animals between protected forests. The Tsurugi area is approximately 9,191 hectares, and when combined with the protected forests to be connected (approximately 1,376 hectares), the total area connected by the Wildife Corridor is approximately 10,567 hectares.
Kukuri Trap Regulations
Asiatc black bears are sometimes accidentally caught in "kukuri” (snare) traps used to target deer and wild boar. When these mistaken captures occur, it poses danger not only to the bear, but also to the trapper and nearby civilians. Until now, there have been no reports of such incidents in Shikoku. In order to prevent mistaken capture of Asiatic black bears, the use of kukuri traps is restricted or prohibited in certain areas.
Regional Efforts
The Regional Council was established in 2017 based on the "Basic Guidelines for Implementing Projects for the Protection of Birds and Animals" published under the "Birds and Animals Protection and Management Law" with the aim of avoiding extinction and conserving Shikoku's population of Asiatic black bears. It is composed of relevant organizations from the national, prefectural, and municipal governments.
Established to provide direction and basic guidelines for the protection of Shikoku's population of Asiatic black bears, and to strengthen cooperation among related organizations to improve and expand protection measures.
Formulated as a guide for local governments to prepare appropriate bear encounter response manuals as required in order to promote regional protection guidelines while ensuring the safety of residents.