Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
US President Donald Trump says both "Israel" and Iran violated ceasefire: Not happy with "Israel", not happy with Iran either, but really unhappy with "Israel".
Khatam al-Anbia HQ: Armed forces had previously announced they would not leave any attack without response; the entity will pay a heavy price.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbia HQ: Israeli entity launched attacks on Iran until 9 a.m over three waves.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: No evidence presented that Iran was planning an attack on "Israel"
Iranian TV: Reports of a missile launch from Iran toward the Israeli entity after the ceasefire are unfounded
Israeli media: Two missiles fired from Iran, intercepted.
Israeli media: Powerful explosions heard in North.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Sirens sound in Haifa, large areas in occupied al-Jalil, Golan.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in North.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Three martyrs in strike that targeted vehicle on Shoukin-Kfar Dejjal road, Nabatieh District.

Starving to death: Brown bear cubs fate in Japan amid salmon shortage

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 27 Sep 2023 19:51
3 Min Read

Acorns and pink salmon are a significant source of nutrition for nearly 500 brown bears that live on Hokkaido's Shiretoko peninsula, a Unesco World Heritage site.

  • x
  • File photo of brown bear cubs in Hokkaido.
    Photo of brown bear cubs in Hokkaido, Japan (AP) 

According to experts, rising sea temperatures caused by the climate crisis have killed eight out of ten brown bear pups born this year in a remote section of northern Japan.

Acorns and pink salmon are a significant source of nutrition for nearly 500 brown bears that live on Hokkaido's Shiretoko peninsula, a Unesco World Heritage site famed for its stunning coastline and wild creatures.

According to The Guardian, in July, the average daily surface temperature of the world's oceans reached a record high and is expected to continue to increase as a result of climate change brought on by burning fossil fuels.

The global average daily sea surface temperature broke the previous record of 20.95 degrees set in 2016, according to the newspaper, which also noted that the temperatures are anticipated to rise further because March is typically when the oceans are at their hottest.

Read more: Experts warn of 'rapid acceleration' in Earth's 6th mass extinction

Early this month, Katsuya Noda, a tour boat operator, discovered a malnourished bear cub urgently looking for food, turning over boulders and looking among mounds of seaweed on the peninsula's eastern shore, alarming local officials. 

Related News

Outrage in Italy after endangered brown bear shot dead

Native brown bears in Turkey looking for food instead of hibernating

Pink salmon in the Hokkaido rivers usually stay in the sea during the winter until they lay their eggs between August and October in the Shiretoko streams. Usually, the bears wait to have the salmon as they swim upstream, but a lack of river fish has forced them to swim in the sea.

Noda told the Asahi Shimbun that “some bears have grown really thin,” adding that “they are having a tough time, because there are no fish in the rivers, just like last year.”

According to experts, sea surface temperatures off Hokkaido hovered above 20 degrees Celsius from mid-July to early August 2021, 5 degrees Celsius more than the usual for that time of year.

Hokkaido University researchers have warned that if global warming continues at its current rate, marine temperatures surrounding the island might climb by up to 10 degrees Celsius by the 2090s compared to 1980s levels.

Masami Yamanaka, a researcher at the Shiretoko Nature Foundation, told the Asahi that the lack of nutrition in the cubs was devastating and a "serious" issue, noting that 70% to 80% of those born this year are already dead.

According to the Hokkaido Salmon Propagation Association, fishermen captured 482,775 pink salmon in rivers in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost major island, compared to 23,298 last year at the same time. 

More bear attacks on humans have also been happening due to the acorn shortage, as bears seek food in inhabited areas. A total of 1,056 brown bears were caught and killed in Hokkaido in the year up to April 2022. A total of 999 brown bears were killed for fear of damage to crops or because they were feared a danger to people.

Read more: Antarctic sea ice reaches record low annual maximum

  • Japan
  • Climate change
  • Climate crisis
  • brown bears

Most Read

Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters upon arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Politics

Trump lashes out at media outlets for downplaying Iran strike impact

ap
Politics

Turkey denies role in US-Israeli strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Iran targets US air base in Qatar with 'destructive' missile strike
MENA

Iran retaliates, targets US air base in Qatar with missiles

Demonstrators hold up a banner during a protest by Palestine Action group in London, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Politics

UK signals 'terror' ban on 'Palestine Action', sparking protests

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS