Abstract
Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) have been stripping the bark of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) at increasing rates in forest plantations across Japan. This has become a serious issue affecting the forest industry and local communities. In response, effective damage control methods need to be developed based on the best available science. We reviewed the Black Bear Spring Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP) developed by the Washington Forest Protection Association’s Animal Damage Control Program (ADCP) and analyzed the applicability of the program to the Asiatic black bear problem in Japan. From the several causes of the stripping the bark damage by bears, we argue the supplemental feeding program designed in Washington State would be effective in Japan. However, we caution that before conducting a local feeding program, we should address several topics, including: (1) conduct experimental studies to cross-investigate bark stripping mechanisms; (2) discuss the pros and cons of artificially feeding wildlife; and (3) identify how to prevent arbitrary feeding by unauthorized entities.
