TOTTORI, (Japan): A large volume of shokupan, or Japanese-style milk bread, and raw chicken meat have recently been found illegally abandoned along a road halfway up Mt. Daisen, a part of the Daisen-Oki National Park in Tottori Prefecture.
The local branch office of the Natural Parks Foundation is concerned that the abandoned food items will likely attract black bears and other wild animals.
After being contacted by the branch office, the Tottori prefectural police have stepped up patrols in the area.
According to the branch office, an employee spotted 30 unpackaged loaves of shokupan along an about 150-meter section of a road in Houki in the prefecture on Aug 14.
Loaves of shokupan were found the following day. Between Aug 14 and Aug 20, a total of 9kg of bread were found abandoned.
On Wednesday, 1.3kg of raw chicken meat, including livers and gizzards, were found abandoned.
The head of the branch office said, “I’m surprised and creeped out. Black bears have been spotted in the neighbourhood areas. Abandoned food items could attract wild animals and lead to accidents, so please stop doing such irresponsible things.” - The Yomiuri Shimbun
