MORIOKA, Japan: A man who was attacked by a bear in Iwaizumi, Iwate Prefecture, has developed a “bear-repelling pole” that can keep the animals at a distance during an encounter.
Seishi Sato has sold more than 800 units both in and outside the prefecture since he launched the product last spring.
The Aomori prefectural police have even purchased them, as the prefecture has seen a recent spate of bear sightings.
“I hope the poles will help people avoid a fatal injury if they encounter a bear,” Sato said.
In September 2023, while he was picking mushrooms in a forest near the town’s Hayasaka Plateau, Sato noticed something moving in the bushes. A bear cub was climbing a tree, and its mother was making threatening moves. At that moment, he thought, “I’m definitely going to be attacked.” He braced for the worst as the mother bear charged toward him at a furious speed.
The bear was relentless in its attack. Sato repeatedly struck the animal with a tree branch measuring about 1.6m long, which he had been using as a walking stick. However, as the bear grabbed the stick, Sato raised it in the air, allowing the animal to come close to his feet. The bear bit and scratched his elbows and thighs before scurrying away.
Scars remain on Sato’s body, reminding him of the importance of maintaining distance when facing a bear.
“If I hadn’t had the stick, the bear could’ve [fatally] attacked my face,” he said.
Based on his near-death experience, Sato created the bear-repelling poles just before spring last year. They come in seven types, with each one made of aluminum alloy and other materials and equipped with a two-pronged tip. The lengths range from 1.15 to 1.7m and can be customized.
He tried to make the poles as light as possible so that they can be manoeuvred quickly enough to keep up with the swift movements of a bear, with the lightest pole weighing about 500gm. He also sought advice from members of a hunting association during the development process.
The poles come with a pamphlet containing instructions on how to use them: (1) “Do not strike the bear; instead, thrust at it to prevent the bear from closing in” (2) “Pull the pole back immediately after thrusting it in order to prevent the bear from grabbing hold of it.” These and other instructions in the pamphlet reflect the lessons Sato learned from his encounter.
Originally, he sold wild vegetables, mushrooms and pet supplies online. Since adding the poles to his product lineup, he has received a flood of orders, selling more than 800. He expects that number to reach 1,000 by the end of May.
Among those placing orders are individuals buying them as gifts for family members who live near mountains, as well as power companies and surveying firms whose employees venture into such locations.
Earlier this year, the poles, which are handmade by local farmers, were added to the town’s list of gifts for the hometown tax donation programme.
Sato spoke about the precautionary measures against bears that people should take when entering the mountains: “First and foremost, it’s important to carry a buzzer or a whistle to avoid a bear encounter.”
Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of being prepared for an encounter. “I hope people will assume that there’s a possibility of encountering a bear and prepare the necessary equipment,” he said.
The price range for the poles is ¥7,800-¥27,000, with a separate shipping fee. The products can be purchased from Sato’s online store, “Genseirin no Kuma Kobo” (Bear workshop of the old-growth forest). - The Japan News/ANN
