Bear Rams Car in Hokkaido

Oct 01, 2026 | News On Japan

HOKKAIDO - A brown bear repeatedly rammed a moving car on a prefectural road in Bifuka, Hokkaido, on the night of September 29, damaging the vehicle but leaving the driver unhurt, police said.

According to Nayoro Police Station, the light passenger car encountered two brown bears believed to be a parent and cub. One of the bears, measuring about 1.5 meters in length, charged the vehicle several times.

The attacks left scratches on the car's hood and caused a hole in part of the vehicle. The woman driving the car was not injured, and the bears left the area shortly afterward.

Hokkaido police on September 30 released about 20 seconds of dashboard camera footage showing the bear charging the vehicle. The footage was distributed through news organizations as police urged residents and motorists to remain alert for encounters with brown bears.

Source: Kyodo

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