Fisherman feared eaten by bear after head is found and animal has 'boots dangling from its mouth' 

Fisherman is feared to have been eaten by a bear after human head is discovered and animal is spotted ‘with boots dangling from its mouth’

  • Police made the horrific discovery at Lake Shumarinai on Japan’s northern island
  • A boat operator witnessed a bear that had fishing boots dangling from its mouth

A fisherman is feared to have been eaten by a bear after a human head was discovered and boots spotted dangling from the animal’s mouth in Japan.

Police made the horrifying discovery at Lake Shumarinai on the country’s northern Hokkaido island.

The 54-year-old fisherman, Toshihiro Nishikawa, was dropped off at a remote fishing location by the lake in Horokanaion on Monday but did not return.

The missing person was reported to police and officials were dispatched to try and locate the man.

A boat operator who provided transport to Nishikawa at the lake reportedly witnessed a bear that had fishing boots dangling from its mouth on that same day.

Officials in the town immediately launched a bear hunt operation to locate the killer animal

Officials in the town immediately launched a bear hunt operation to locate the killer animal

Police made the horrifying discovery at Lake Shumarinai on Japan's northern Hokkaido island

Police made the horrifying discovery at Lake Shumarinai on Japan’s northern Hokkaido island

Following the alarming sighting, the boat operators said he tried to contact Nishikawa by phone but was unable to reach him, Japan’s Kyodo News reported.

Officials in the town immediately launched a bear hunt operation to locate the killer animal. An animal was then shot on that same evening.

The search party also discovered the remains of a human head near to where the fisherman was last seen. But authorities are yet to determine whether this was the remains of Nishikawa.

The Horokanai town office issued an emergency warning following the suspected attack.

The statement read: ‘Please be careful when doing farm work, forest work, or entering the mountains near the sightings.’

Officials warned that if people come into contact with a bear, they should remain calm, still, and stand their ground. You are advised not to run or make food available to them. 

It is estimated that between 6,500 to 10,000 Ussuri brown bears populate Japan’s main northern island of Hokkaido. 

The bears can reach a fearsome height of up to 7ft 6in (2.3 meters) and can weigh more than 550 lbs (around 250kg).

Clashes between Japan’s bear population and humans are not infrequent and can often occur in areas where human settlements border on wilderness.

Hokkaido officials said at least 14 people were killed or injured in bear attacks in 2021.

The Ussuri species of brown bear is also known as the Ezo or Russian grizzly bear.

Although it stands at a smaller height than its North American grizzly bear cousin, it can be just as deadly. 

The 54-year-old fisherman T oshihiro Nishikawa was dropped off at a remote fishing location by the lake in Horokanaion on Monday but has not yet returned

The 54-year-old fisherman T oshihiro Nishikawa was dropped off at a remote fishing location by the lake in Horokanaion on Monday but has not yet returned

source: dailymail.co.uk