As Asian black bears live in forests and cover broad areas without sticking to specific territories, the number of habitats in Japan is unclear, and NPOs, universities and other organizations are looking to broadly survey and clarify the specific situations of populations that inhabit areas that transcend administrative boundaries. In order to build an appropriate conservation management framework, this project will involve the following research:
(1) Establish a hair-trap to collect the fur of wild animal species as a method to estimate population sizes
(2) Attach GPS trackers to captured individuals in order to understand precise movements
(3) Confirm breeding conditions, including number of births
(4) Provide information on bear behaviour to local communities
(5)Provide opportunities for university students and others to participate in actual bear research, cultivating individuals and developing an educational program.
It is hoped that these activities will clarify Asian black bear numbers and behaviour, and that providing local communities with information will provide a foundation for reaching a consensus on measures for handling them and lead to the creation of a conservation management framework for widespread areas.