Air traffic at Japan’s Yamagata Airport was brought to a standstill on Thursday after a black bear wandered onto the runway twice in a single day, prompting authorities to cancel a dozen flights and deploy hunters and police around the facility.
According to Japanese media reports, the first sighting occurred early in the morning, causing immediate disruption and delaying the departure of four domestic flights by over an hour. The situation escalated when the bear reappeared in the afternoon, seen strolling across the runway, forcing authorities to shut down the airstrip again.
“We used a vehicle to try and chase it away, but given the safety risks, we had no choice but to suspend operations,” said Akira Nagai, an official at Yamagata Airport.
Following the second intrusion, 12 scheduled flights were cancelled. Authorities called in professional hunters to capture the animal, while police officers were stationed around the premises to prevent further intrusion or escape.
Airport officials said the runway would remain closed until at least 8pm as a precautionary measure.
The incident underscores a growing trend of human-wildlife encounters in Japan, particularly with bears. Last year, a record 219 people were attacked by bears across the country, resulting in six fatalities, according to government data.
Wildlife experts say factors such as shrinking natural habitats and food shortages in the wild may be contributing to the increasing number of bear sightings near populated areas. The Ministry of Environment has urged local governments to strengthen monitoring and awareness efforts in vulnerable regions.
