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Bears, Yikes
99.09.19/ Temperature: 11C/ Weather: Overcast /Wind Direction: SW
Start: Shari@Destination: Hama Koshimizu, Okhotsu Village
Destination: Koshimizucho, Mr Takedatsu's House/Longitude: 43 55 17 N/ Longitude: 144 28 53
Distance Traveled: 0 KmAll of this walking is beginning to catch up with me. Today my calves (fukurahagi) burned in muscle pain when I strapped on my boots. After 24 more kilometers, my calves still burn and the arches of my feet are struggling to fit the shape of my boot.
Last night I was fortunate to stay with Mr. Murakami, a former Hokkaido University Brown Bear Research member and currently working for the local government. His interest and knowledge of the wildlife in Shiretoko and northern Hokkaido in general is very broad so I took the opportunity to answer some questions that WSN participant groups have.
Students from Nakano #7 schools Nature Adventure Club inquired about whether or not there is a relationship between the increase in the number of trout and the brown bear population so I asked Mr. Murakami.
Mr. Murakami looked down pensively, "that's a tough one", he said. "First of all, there are few bears in Shiretoko that can eat trout from the rivers. Most rivers have hatcheries, some kind of dam or blockade that prevents the trout from climbing upstream." Additionally Mr. Murakami mentioned that a bear's diet consists primarily of grasses, acorns, and berries. There have been no conclusive studies done about the relationship between trout and bear populations but, Mr. Murakami doubts there is one. "Since there is a lot of protein in trout, the few bears that eat more may have healthier offspring." "Still it is hard to say there is a relationship," he concluded.
I also consulted with Mr. Sakino, nature guide and "Exploration for Wisdom" supporter. He backed up what Mr. Murakami had mentioned about a bear's diet and also brought another interesting point. "Long ago, the relationship between brown bears and trout may have been very direct, but the dams and barriers that humans have put between the two has separated them," said Mr. Sakino. Living separately and independently from each other, Mr. Sakino also thought it is improbable that there be a direct relationship between trout and brown bear.
Lastly Mr. Murakami shared with me a news article which told of brown bears raiding temporary fishing houses. In 1996 there were several "raids" of fishing houses as the newspaper reported. 90 cans of juice were punctured with bear teath at one of the houses. I doubt the bear intended to "raid" anything. What do you think the bear's point of view might be?
I asked whether or not it is a good thing for wild animals to get used to humans. He responded, "If people have the right knowledge, it is a good thing. Otherwise it is dangerous for both the wild animals and humans." "In Shiretoko there are fisherman and bears who run into each other frequently, but there is no problem if the each mind their own business." When people start leaving out trash and in some cases throwing food into the woods to feed the bears, is when "raids" on fishing houses occur and people are put at danger.
As we were on the subject of bears, I jumped at the chance to find out how safe I would be on my journey through Hokkaido. The brown bears of Hokkaido, "higuma" are in the same family as the brown bears of Alaska and the Grizzlies of the American Northwest. "There have been attacks on humans," said Mr. Murakami, I felt a lump in my throat. "But if you are careful, you should be fine." I was advised to stay scent free, make lots of noise with a bell or by talking when in bear territory, and to stand my ground if approached by a bear. I hope this advice will get me through Hokkaido safely!
I don't know if you all know it but there have been a number of people cheering me on as I have started this journey. Walking with me, helping me out with all of the details and cheering me on, I couldn't have started without them. I just want to thank them all.
Greg
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