Hokkaido Brown Bear

[brobear]

URSUS ARCTOS YESOENSIS 
  
Taxonomy and morphology ( shaggygod.proboards.com/ )

The brown bears in northeastern Eurasia are divided into four subspecies based on cranial and dental morphology (Baryshnikov et al. 2004). Brown bears in Hokkaido (including southern Chishima = Kuril Islands) received the subspecific name U a. ferox Temminck, 1842 (U a yesoensis Lydekker, 1897 is a junior synonym) and those of Sakhalin and Primorski the name U a beringianus Stroganov, 1962. The skulls of U a. ferox in Hokkaido are generally smaller than the other three subspecies in northeastern Eurasia (Baryshnikov et al. 2004).

A brown bear in Hokkaido has a hump on its shoulders just as brown bears in the other regions. Fur color varies: black, dark brown, or bright yellowish brown (golden). Some bears have black fur with a golden or dark brown portion fromthe face to their back. Occasionally, a white patch was present on their breast (Imai-zumi I960).

For wild bears in Hokkaido, there were only a few published reports about body measurements. In adult bears, fromthe Oshima Peninsula in southern Hokkaido who were live-trapped, mean body weight was 81.7 kg (n = 17, SD = 17.2) for females and 127.6 kg (n = 8, SD = 33.9) for males (Hokkaido Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES) 2004a). Mean body weight of three adult females (6-7 years old) live-trapped in Ura-horo, located in the central-eastern part of Hokkaido, was 104.7 kg (SD = 6.4) (Sato et al. 2004a). Among adult bears live-trapped fromthe Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, mean body weight was 102.9 kg (n = 31) for females and 192.4 kg (n= 7) for males (no SD was given; Kohira et al. 2006). It is noted that direct comparison of body weight variation among these regions should not be done, since there seems to be a distortion of body weight, depending on type and size of traps used. In addition, a credible maximumrecorded weight is for an adult male hunted in Shyari-cho, eastern Hokkaido during November, 2002, which weighed 400 kg (Nakamura 2003). This record is not much less than that of the maximumrecorded weight (440 kg) of the captive bears at Noboribetsu Bear Farm(Maeda and Ohdachi 1994). Other external measures such as body length, body height, neck circumference, and width of forepaw of wild brown bears in Hokkaido were reported on in few papers (Hokkaido IES 2004a, Sato et al. 2004a). Thus, geographic, age, seasonal, and sexual variations in external measures for wild brown bears in Hokkaido should be investigated in the near future.

For the captive brown bears of Hokkaido, maximum body weight was 440 kg for males and 221 kg for females. Mean body weight of 4-6 yeas old bears (sample size is largest in this age class) was 115.0 kg for females and 219.0 kg for males (Maeda and Ohdachi 1994). For the other adult age class, males are also approximately twice as heavy as females. Chest girth and body weight were positively correlated (p < 0.001) and chest girth was a good indicator of body weight In addition, the width of forepaw can discriminate adult males (> 4 years old) from young males (1-3 years old) and females (> 1 year old) with a 9.3% error rate (Maeda and Ohdachi 1994).

Skull size (condylobasal length) of the brown bear increases fromsouth-west to north-east in Hokkaido (Yoneda and Abe 1976; Ohdachi et al. 1992). An adult male moved approximately 70 km distance in five days in central Hokkaido (Waseda 1999). Thus, these are interesting differences because they east despite the small size of Hokkaido (ca. 78,400 km2 for Hokkaido mainland) relative to the potential high dispersal ability of bears.

Matsuhashi et al. (1999) revealed that there are three haplotypes of the mitochondrial control region in brown bears (see the genetic section below). Each of the three haplotypes specifically occurs in southern (south to Ishi-kari lowlands), central (east to Ishikari lowlands and north to Kushiro region), and eastern (Shiretoko and Akan areas) regions, respectively. Baryshnikov et al. (2004) compared cranial and dental morphology among bears of the three haplotypes. Skull size was smallest in the southern group of haplotype and 1 argest in the eastern group. In particular, bears from eastern Hokkaido (including Kunashiri = Kunashir and Etorofu = Itrup Islands) had significantly larger skulls, smaller cheek teeth, and broader faces than the southern and central genetic groups. Thus, it is possible to suggest that the morphological difference in skull and teeth in Hokkaido brown bears might be associated with genetic differences.

[brobear]

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Baryshnikov et al. (2004) implicitly pointed out that dietary difference is a cause of the geographic variation of cranial morphology in Hokkaido. In general, carnivorous Ursids tended to have smaller cheek teeth than omnivorous and herbivorous Ursids (but larger than insectivorous species) (Sacco and van Valkenburgh 2004). In the eastern Hokkaido, where bears have broader face and small cheek teeth, robust salmonoid fish were abundant In addition, sika deer (Cervus nippon yezoensis) meat is recently an important food resource for bears in eastern Hokkaido (Sato et al. 2004b 2005a). Therefore, the broad face and small cheek teeth of the bears in the eastern group might be related to then food habits. However, bear diets are unstable even over a few tens of years (Ohdachi and Aoi 1987; Sato et al. 2004b, 2005a). Thus, we can not conclude that the dietary difference caused the morphological variation. The evolutionary interpretation of morphological variation in the skulls of Hokkaido brown bears should be carefully investigated. 
                     

[brobear]

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Food habits of the brown bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis) were studied from 1975 to 1984 in 4 diverse areas on Hokkaido Island. Foods of bears varied seasonally in each area and differed among areas largely because of differences in foods available. Bears ate mainly succulent herbs in spring and summer and fruits in the fall in northern Hokkaido. Hog's-fennel (Peucedanum multivittatum) dominated the bears' diet in August and September in the alpine areas of the Daisetsu Mountains. Foods of bears on the Shiretoko Peninsula included those from the sea, but were otherwise similar to northern Hokkaido. The diet of bears on the Oshimo Peninsula was dominated by beech (Fagus crenata) buds in the spring in terms of frequency of occurrence, and actinidia (Actinidia arguta) fruit in the fall.

[brobear]

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U. a. yesoensis is a junior synonym for U. a. ferox. To review, U. a. ferox Temminck, 1842; U. a. yesoensis Lydekker, 1897.

Baryshnikov et. al (2004) text extract:

Temminck (1842: 29) was the first who gave the scientific name for the brown bear from Japan: U. ferox. Lydekker (1897) and his followers (Pocock, 1932: 804, Ellermann & Morrison-Scott, 1951: 238) mistakenly treated this name to be preoccupied by U. ferox Rafinesque (1817: 437) and U. ferox Lewis & Clark in Desmarest (1820: 164). However, both latter names, which were used for the brown bear from North America, are nomina nudi; therefore, there are no nomenclatural grounds to refuse Temminck s name.

Lydekker (1897: 422, fig. 3, 4) described the subspecies U. arctos yesoensis on the basis of three brown bear skulls from Hokkaido. He gave a drawing of the skull of a young adult male (NHM 86.11.18.2), which we designate as the lectotype. Another skull, belonging to adult male (NHM 96.4.27.1), is correspondingly the paralecto-type. In spite of the name U. a. yesoensis is widely used in recent publications, it seems to be a junior synonym of U. a. ferox, as well as U. melanarctos (Heude, 1898: 17) proposed for the brown bear from Hakodae in Hokkaido.

Baryshnikov G.F., Mano T. & Masuda R. 2004. Taxonomic differentiation of Ursus arctos (Carnivora, Ursidae) from south Okhotsk Sea islands on the basis of morphometrical analysis of skull and teeth // Russian Journal of Theriology. Vol.3. No.2. P.77 88.

[brobear]

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Favorite Hokkaido moments...

Hokkaido Photogallery
Newsgroups:
fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ Bulletin Boards:

Practise your Kanji?

Shiretoko Peninsula / Shiretoko National Park
Shiretoko National Park was gazetted in 1964 and covers a substantial part, some 386.33 square kilometers (miles), or roughly half of the Shiretoko peninsula, a long narrow peninsula jutting about 70 kilometers into the Sea of Okhotsk from the northeastern tip of Hokkaido. This large Japanese national park was added to the World Heritage list in July 2005. It is one of the most isolated parts of Japan and contains extensive wilderness, there are few roads (and none into the heart of the national park), so the only way to access much is by boat or on foot.

The name Shiretoko is derived from an Ainu word meaning the "end of the earth" or "lands end". The peninsula is formed from a volcanic chain of mountains, enormous black rocks are strewn everywhere, reminding you where they came from. There are few roads, none at all to the cape, and large numbers of wild deer, Hokkaido brown bears and foxes. It is a birder's paradise. Drift ice, hot thermal vents and springs, wild seas and cliffs, quiet ponds, are all a feature of this beautiful wild area.

[brobear]

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Text Extract:

"Rausch (1963) and Yoneda and Abe (1976) have both suggested that the availability of salmon and trout as food was one of the most important factors causing geographical variation in cranial size in brown bears. Salmon and trout, however, occupy only a small part of the present diet of bears in Hokkaido (Abe et at., 1987; Kadosaki, 1983; Ohdachi & Aoi, 1987), and thus it seems less plausible that the geographical cline is solely as a result of differences in the availability of fish today. Instead, a general effect of differences in dietary condition could be the main factor involved, since food items and their consumption vary between various regions of Hokkaido (Abe et at., 1987; Ohdachi & Aoi, 1987). A further factor potentially affecting geographical variation in cranial size is climatic difference. In general, the period of snow-cover is shorter, and temperatures are higher in southern parts of Hokkaido than in northern and eastern parts. Hence, geographical variation in cranial size might be explained in the context of climatic adaptation such as reduction of heat loss (e. g., McNab, 1971; Scholander, 1955, 1956)."

Source: Growth, Sexual Dimorphism, and Geographical Variation of Skull Dimensions of the Brown Bear Ursus arctos in Hokkaido.

[brobear]

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The present status of the Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
in Hokkaido , Japan

By Dr. MASAAKI KADOSAKI

Director of the Hokkaido Wildlife Laboratory
The Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) is the only bear living in Hokkaido .

I have been studying Hokkaido Brown Bear since 1970. My studies have included the Brown Bear's ecology, morphology, relationship with people and damage caused to livestock, crops and orchards. Using this information, I will outline the history and present status of the Hokkaido Brown Bear.

The area of Hokkaido is 78,000km2 (corresponding to 390 ‡q ~200 ‡q ),which represents 20% of Japan's total land area. Its climate belongs to the cool temperate zone and the native vegetation is a mixture of conifer forest (spruces, firs and pines) and broad leaf trees. Hokkaido has a lot of mountainous areas with the highest elevation being 2,290m at Daisetsuzan, in the central part of the island. Currently, 71.5% of the area of Hokkaido is forested with much of that area being mountainous. Including farmed grasslands, the remaining, 28.5% is residential and agricultural. In 2008, the population was 5.57 million with a population density of 67 persons /km2.

Hokkaido 's large scale development was initiated by the Government in 1869. Prior to that, some 12,000 native people, so-called Ainu, shared the land with some 50,000 Japanese. 98% of the land was undeveloped and almost all of it was inhabited by Brown Bears. I statistically estimate the population of Brown Bears at that time to have been between 4,500 - 5,500 animals. The recent population of the Hokkaido Brown Bear has been estimated at between 1,900 to 2,300 animals with its habitat half of the original size . The bears have been killed as pest or game animals since the mid 1800s. There are statistics of the annual number of Brown Bears killed for 125 years between 1873 and 2009. It shows, on average, 409 bears have been killed annually.

The bulk of the bear attacks and damage to livestock etc. occurred until the 1960s when the largest alterations to the bear habitat took place as land was cleared for agriculture. e.g. 14 persons were killed in 1908 and from 1915, fatal attacks on horses numbered between 200-300 until 1920s. Incidents involving fatal attacks on cattle ranged from 100 to 200 incidents during the 1960s. The annual damage caused by the Brown Bear to livestock in the last 20 years has been a maximum of fifteen incidents a year, and usually just a few incidents. Since 1970, there have been 29 reported incidents of bear attacks on hunters and 44 attacks on persons not hunting. On average, the number of annual attacks on non-hunters is 1.07. In the cases of attacks on non-hunters, 15 incidents resulted in the death of the person. Of the 15 fatalities, in no case did the attacked person use a weapon to defend themselves. Those who have survived attacks invariably reported using a weapon including an axe, knife, stone or hands and feet to defend themselves during the attack. From this evidence, I would like to insist on the importance of active resistance in the incident of a bear attack on a person. I'd also like to propose that bears are not killed for game or if they are shown to be a pest. There is no risk of an over population of Brown Bears in Hokkaido . This fact was certified within reputable historical documents produced during the Edo period.

People can live in harmony with bears by maintaining the appropriate level of respect for the Bear's habitat. Fences with barbed wire have been proven to be an effective means to deter Bears in a high risk area from causing damage to crops, livestock or people. People entering into a Bear's habitat should be prepared for an unexpected encounter with a bear and be prepared to defend themselves in the very unlikely event of an attack by a bear by equipping themselves with a whistle and machete or hatchet. By taking these steps, for the first time in Japan , we can openly declare a coexistence with the Bears of Japan.
www.yasei.com/COP2010en.htm

[brobear]

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GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — State bear managers seeking to capture and collar female grizzly bears as part of a population count recently trapped a 7 foot, 6 inch male grizzly that weighed 750 pounds after a winter of hibernation.

Mike Madel, bear management specialist with the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said it took two scales and a hydraulic crane to weigh the 8-year-old bruin that had 3 1/2-inch claws and a neck circumference of 4 feet.

"This bear was just a beautiful bear," Madel said.

Madel said the big male with the bronze head, golden back and dark chocolate legs could weigh as much as 900 pounds by the fall.

"This is really a large male," he said. In fact, it is the second-largest male grizzly ever recorded in the Northern Rockies Region, Madel said.

Madel captured the bear he dubbed "Big Daddy," on May 24. He was trying to capture female grizzlies near Choteau to fit them with radio collars to track their movements and whether they have cubs.

"We actually were trying to avoid males," Madel said.
www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-20-big-bear_N.htm
Hokkaido Brown Bear body weight

[brobear]

www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2008/03/15/our-lives/the-lowdown-on-hokkaido-bears/#.XHpbHYhKiM8

The lowdown on Hokkaido bears
BY AMY CHAVEZ
MAR 15, 2008
ARTICLE HISTORY PRINT SHARE
Let’s talk about bears, big Hokkaido bears called higuma in Japanese. Bears can be dangerous in Hokkaido, where hikers may encounter them in the mountains. There have been 86 attacks and 33 deaths from bears since 1962 when the government started keeping records.

The higuma are part of the ursus arctos horribilis, known as grizzly bears in North America. They are over 2 meters tall, weigh about 300 kg and can run at a speed of 50 kph.

As you can imagine, these large creatures have to eat a lot. Although you’d think such large creatures would eat things like trees, and buildings, the higuma eat mostly plants.

They also have an appetite for humans on the side, however, and will occasionally attack and garnish. You wouldn’t think they’d bother with the casual hiker but rather hit the Sapporo Dome, which holds 41,580 people.

During a popular sports event they could have a 41,580-course meal. But I suppose it’s easier when the food comes directly to them, as hikers tend to do.

At national parks all over Hokkaido there are signs warning you of bears. One sign I saw said, in English, “This area is infested with bears,” and featured a cute smiling bear on the sign.

The message seems to be: Never trust a smiling bear.

There is no shortage of safety tips telling what to do if you do see a bear when hiking in the mountains.

Most of them are of the “if a bear charges you, remain calm” variety, which are not so helpful in a real attack, so I have made some alternative suggestions below each tip.

First, you’ll need three things to be safe from bears: a bell, a white piece of cloth and a Ferrari. These correspond to the three stages of a bear attack: the bear sighting, the attack and the escape.

Now on to the tips. Remember, these tips are from experts who know.

The sighting

Ring a bell, shout or clap your hands to alert bears to your presence.

It may seem strange to attract the bear’s attention in this way, especially when it seems more polite to just go up and introduce yourself, but the idea here is let him know you are coming from a distance so as not to startle or surprise him.

Some people attach small bells to their backpacks but I would think that a large group of people singing well-known campfire songs such as “The Bear went Over the Mountain” would be good.

But you should be loud enough to let him know you have arrived, and the attack can begin at any time. Heck, anyone in your party own a Ferrari? One with a V-12 engine and a deafening exhaust system would be perfect.

If you are camping, stow food in trees well away from where you are sleeping. Arrange tents in a line so as to leave a clear entrance and exit to the trash and cooking areas to allow the bear an easy retreat.

BY AMY CHAVEZ
MAR 15, 2008
ARTICLE HISTORY PRINT SHARE
Let’s talk about bears, big Hokkaido bears called higuma in Japanese. Bears can be dangerous in Hokkaido, where hikers may encounter them in the mountains. There have been 86 attacks and 33 deaths from bears since 1962 when the government started keeping records.

The higuma are part of the ursus arctos horribilis, known as grizzly bears in North America. They are over 2 meters tall, weigh about 300 kg and can run at a speed of 50 kph.

As you can imagine, these large creatures have to eat a lot. Although you’d think such large creatures would eat things like trees, and buildings, the higuma eat mostly plants.

They also have an appetite for humans on the side, however, and will occasionally attack and garnish. You wouldn’t think they’d bother with the casual hiker but rather hit the Sapporo Dome, which holds 41,580 people.

During a popular sports event they could have a 41,580-course meal. But I suppose it’s easier when the food comes directly to them, as hikers tend to do.

At national parks all over Hokkaido there are signs warning you of bears. One sign I saw said, in English, “This area is infested with bears,” and featured a cute smiling bear on the sign.

The message seems to be: Never trust a smiling bear.

There is no shortage of safety tips telling what to do if you do see a bear when hiking in the mountains.

Most of them are of the “if a bear charges you, remain calm” variety, which are not so helpful in a real attack, so I have made some alternative suggestions below each tip.

First, you’ll need three things to be safe from bears: a bell, a white piece of cloth and a Ferrari. These correspond to the three stages of a bear attack: the bear sighting, the attack and the escape.

Now on to the tips. Remember, these tips are from experts who know.

The sighting

Ring a bell, shout or clap your hands to alert bears to your presence.

It may seem strange to attract the bear’s attention in this way, especially when it seems more polite to just go up and introduce yourself, but the idea here is let him know you are coming from a distance so as not to startle or surprise him.

Some people attach small bells to their backpacks but I would think that a large group of people singing well-known campfire songs such as “The Bear went Over the Mountain” would be good.

But you should be loud enough to let him know you have arrived, and the attack can begin at any time. Heck, anyone in your party own a Ferrari? One with a V-12 engine and a deafening exhaust system would be perfect.

If you are camping, stow food in trees well away from where you are sleeping. Arrange tents in a line so as to leave a clear entrance and exit to the trash and cooking areas to allow the bear an easy retreat.

If you haven’t been able to attract a bear yet, invite him to dinner. Set up a bear-feeding station as mentioned above and install a sidewalk with footlights to guide the bear at night. It seems to me that it would be a whole lot safer to not even take any food into the forest.

It is said that you can live longer on water than food, and when you consider the bear factor too, I don’t see why we are trying to increase our chances of being eaten by taking our own appetizers. But remember, these are experts saying all this.

When you see a bear, talk to it. Let the bear know you are human.

Let him know you are human without inserting the words “morsel” or “garnish.” Once you’ve gotten his attention, to gain the upper hand, always use his full name. Say something like,”Ursus arctos horribilis,” how dare you attack me!” This should really get his attention.

The attack
Stay calm and do not run. C’mon, it’s just a bear attack, what are you worried about?!

If the bear makes contact, surrender! Now you know what that white piece of cloth is for. Take it out, wave it, and hope that the bear acknowledges your surrender.

Don’t try to outrun the bear. Bears can run up to 50 kph, which is much faster than you.

The escape

Now you know what the Ferrari is for.

[King Kodiak]

[brobear]

www.animal-dino.com/hokkaido_bear.html

The shape of Hokkaido which is northernmost and second largest island in Japan is like a diamond. The wilderness of Hokkaido still remains intact in the most part of the island and so many indigenous species live in. Hokkaido Wildlife Laboratory studies about behavior of those native species and protects their habitat.

Higuma Bear is the brown bear lives only in Hokkaido and the largest land mammal in Japan. Higuma Bear is the key species for the conservation because of its territorial broadness and food variety. Masahiko Kadosaki, Director of Hokkaido Wildlife Laboratory tells us about Higuma Bear and wildlife in Hokkaido.

The habitat of Higuma covers about 50 % of Hokkaido. The population is concentrated in Oshima and Shiretoko peninsula. They inhabit the mountain and woodland under about 1500m (4900feet) altitude. The population is about 1,900 to 2,300 now. It fluctuates because it is the least right before the birth of cubs in December and the most in after getting birth around end of February.

Asian black bear in Japan use a natural cave for winter den but Higuma Bear do not. They dig it by themselves or use the cave dug by other Higuma. They have several dens to hibernate. They put snow and underground water out to keep their den clean even during the hibernation period.

The male is about 2.4m (7.9ft) long and 400kg (880lbs). They are solitary animal except during mating and parenting season. The hibernation starts around end of November and waking up from middle of March to beginning of May. Mother gets birth from January to middle of February during the hibernation. Mother brings cubs up alone until cubs get 1 to 2 years of age.

Higuma is omnivorous but they do not have bacteria which helps digestion in their stomach. So they eat plants which include plenty of water and several nutrition such as butterbur and sweet cicelies. They also eat seeds and fruits such as acorns and morus.

The meats they eat belong to variety of animals such as insects, fish and large mammal such as deer. They prefer to feed on arts and bees. The pupas of beetles are also their favorite food. If the rivers and ocean were close to their habitat, they hunt trout and salmon and crayfish under rocks.

Kadosaki has been researching on Higuma for over 40 years. He called Higuma “Boss of forest” with respect, because Higuma is apex predator and their presence affects all animals live in the forest. “They are afraid of only humans and their own species, but they also depend on all creatures in the forest. This means that protecting Higuma is equal to conserving biodiversity of forest,” said Kadosaki.

*Note: more reading on site.

[King Kodiak]

Brobear: has the official name of this bear already changed to “Ursus arctos lasiotus” ? Or is it still Ursus arctos Yesoensis?

[brobear]

Mar 2, 2019 7:34:10 GMT -5 King Kodiak said:

Brobear: has the official name of this bear already changed to “Ursus arctos lasiotus” ? Or is it still Ursus arctos Yesoensis?

Officially Yesoensis - which I agree with. Japan has been separated from the mainland of Asia for... how many thousands of years? Yet, when reading about the Ussuri brown bear ( U.a. lasiotus ) distribution, they often mention Japan. Evidently, the experts are in disagreement. 

[King Kodiak]

Mar 2, 2019 8:23:03 GMT -5 brobear said:

Mar 2, 2019 7:34:10 GMT -5 King Kodiak said:

Brobear: has the official name of this bear already changed to “Ursus arctos lasiotus” ? Or is it still Ursus arctos Yesoensis?

Officially Yesoensis - which I agree with. Japan has been separated from the mainland of Asia for... how many thousands of years? Yet, when reading about the Ussuri brown bear ( U.a. lasiotus ) distribution, they often mention Japan. Evidently, the experts are in disagreement. 

I agree with keeping Yesoensis also. Even though they are basically the same bear, the distribution should be enough to keep them separate.

[brobear]

shaggygod.proboards.com/thread/1186/human-activities-caused-dietary-shift

Summary Brown bears are opportunistic omnivores that flexibly change their feeding habits depending on the availability of dietary resources. A research team led by Jun Matsubayashi, a student at the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, and a Center Research Associate at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature; Associate Professor Junko Morimoto of the Laboratory of Forest Ecosystem Management, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University; and Professor Ichiro Tayasu of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, measured carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope ratios of bone collagen of brown bears in the Hokkaido Islands of Japan, and presented a historical record of major alterations in their feeding habits. Hokkaido brown bears used to feed on animal matter such as salmon and deer, whereas modern bears depend on plant matter like herbs and fruits. These dietary shifts probably occurred in the last approximately 100-200 years, which coincides with the beginning of modernization in this region. - See more at: www.noodls.com/view/C1DA9457DC11445D88197ED92FDB0601918C9DEB?7371xxx1428983196#sthash.5JWzNUrP.dpuf

www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/research/research_results/2014/documents/150327_1/02.pdf

[Deleted]

I guess the ussuri brown bear and the japanese brown bear are from different subspecies yet they are still one and the same bear.

[King Kodiak]

Food Habits of Brown Bears in Hokkaido, Japan

Food habits of the brown bear (Ursus aretos yesoeruis) were studied from 1975 to 1984 in 4 diverse areas on Hokkaido Island. Foods of bears varied seasonally in each area and differed among areas largely because of differences in foods available. Bears ate mainly succulent herbs in spring and summer and fruits in the fall in northern Hokkaido. Hog's-fennel (Peucedanum multivittatum) dominated the bears' diet in August and September in the alpine areas or the Daisetsu Mountains. Foods of bears on the Shiretoko Peninsula included those from the sea, but were otherwise similar to northern Hokkaido. The diet of bears on the Oshimo Peninsula was dominated by beech (Fagus crenata) buds in the spring in terms of frequency of occurrence, and actinidia (Actinidia arguta) fruit in the fall

For this study, we used the 12 bear subpopulations defined by the Hokkaido Institute of Environmental Sciences (HIES); initially, 5 brown bear populations have been defined considering their distribution range in Hokkaido (Hokkaido Government 1986), and then, the populations have been divided into 12 subpopulations based on their distribution connectivity and administrative boundaries (HIES 2000; Fig. 1). The major components of the diet of the Hokkaido brown bears are C 3 herbs, C 3 fruits, agricultural crops, insects, Sika deer, and salmon (Sato et al. 2005; Matsubayashi et al. 2014), although salmon consumption occurs in a limited zone in eastern Hokkaido (Ohdachi and Aoi 1987; Sato et al. 2005; Matsubayashi et al. 2014). Corn (Zea mays L.) is the only C 4 plant consumed by the bears; it is the most frequently eaten agricultural crop (Sato et al. 1. Brown bear (Ursus arctos) locations of kills (5 km quadrat) and the area classifications of the Hokkaido brown bear subpopulations with the subpopulation IDs denoted as 1–12. ...

www.researchgate.net/publication/49466404_Food_Habits_of_Brown_Bears_in_Hokkaido_Japan

[brobear]

Sika deer; the Hokkaido brown bear must be pretty clever to catch one of these. 
                                                        

[OldGreenGrolar]

/\ Agreed. Brown bears can become good hunters with enough practice. Polar bears can outrun a reindeer over a short distance and barren ground grizzlies have learn to hunt musk oxens.

[King Kodiak]

For 1st time in century, suspected brown bear footprints spotted on Hokkaido island

Suspected brown bear footprints are seen on the shoreline of Hokkaido's Rishirifuji town, in this recent photo. (Photo courtesy of the Rishirifuji Municipal Government)



brown bear was captured on Rishiri Island in the Meiji period. (Photo courtesy of Rishiri town's board of education)




WAKKANAI, Hokkaido -- Local residents found footprints on May 30 of a suspected brown bear on the shoreline of remote Rishiri Island off the northernmost town of Wakkanai. If the footprints are in fact from the animal, it would mark the first known appearance in 106 years since a brown bear swimming from the opposite shore was captured in May 1912, according to local records.


Wakkanai Police Station said that local residents spotted several footprints, each about 25 centimeter long and about 20 centimeters in width, on a beach along the southern shoreline of the island. According to Hokkaido Research Organization officials who analyzed the footprints, they likely belong to an adult male aged over 6 or 7.

An expert said that a brown bear could swim from the shore of Wakkanai on the mainland of Hokkaido -- a distance of at least 20 kilometers -- to Rishirifuji's Numaura district where local residents spotted the footprints. The island was believed to be outside their habitat, according to police and the local government.

The municipal government pointed out that it is currently breeding season for brown bears so a male could be searching for a female.

The town's officials urge local residents, tourists and others to be cautious of bears.