In 1998, the Hokkaido government began to tackle an environmental policy for the community in the Oshima Peninsula to co-exist with brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis). However, the plan that was drawn up two years later put a greater importance on minimizing the risk of encountering brown bears by killing them rather than maintaining their population. The plan doesn’t seem successful in terms of reflecting public attitudes and behaviors towards brown bears. In 2001 we did research on public attitudes and behaviors through a questionnaire among the local people. The initial results are: (1) 59% of the residents overestimate damages from brown bears to human beings. (2) While 31% are tolerant of their existence, 30% intolerant. (3) 45% of those who enter forests do so without defensive equipments. (4) The residents expect their local governments to encourage education, besides enriching forests and establishing a compensation system.
ヒグマをめぐる渡島半島地域住民の意識と行動
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