The factors affecting insect collisions with vehicle windshields were studied from June to September 2001 on the Hokkaido Doou expressway (from Nopporo parking area (PA) to Otoe PA). The data collected were analyzed using quantification theory type I. The analyses revealed that the number of insect collisions was greater when the weather was fine, warm, and calm, and on holidays when traffic volumes were greater. Under those conditions when insect collisions are most likely, the estimated number of collisions was 168,725/hour/94.6 km on weekdays, and 191,168/hour/94.6km on holidays. Research data did not indicate that species extinctions were occurring in the area as a result of impacts with automobiles, however, it is likely that roads with heavy traffic volumes affect the likelihood of survival of insects.

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Even though a rare species in Hokkaido, most Crocidura dsinezumi have been found in areas between 100m to 200m above sea level. However, in August 2001, the authors captured three male animals at a higher altitude of about 320m above sea level near the Koibokushushibichari River. The head and body length of the three animals captured by the authors were slightly smaller than the four specimens captured by Abe et al. (1987) and the one specimen captured by Nakata (1981) in Hokkaido. The animals captured near the Koibokushushibichari River were closer in size to the larger animals found in the north of Honshu. The tail length of all the specimens mentioned above was longer than those of the specimens found in Honshu and other southern Islands. The foot length of the specimens captured by the authors, Abe et al. and Nakata were approximately the same. The dimensions of the cranium of the specimens found by the authors and Abe et al. were approximately the same. The cranium and foot size were larger than those found in Honshu and more comparable with the larger animals found on Tanegashima and Yakushima. The tooth low lengths of the specimens captured by the authors were as large as or larger than the largest tooth low length of the specimens found in Honshu and other southern Islands.

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The first and third incidents occurred while the victims were collecting edible wild plants. The other incidents occurred when the victims were hunting bear. In the first incident, a 42 year old woman was killed instantly by the bear that was protecting its young. In the third incident, the lone eight year old male bear dragged the 53 year old man about ninety meters to a comfortable spot where the bear then proceeded to eat the victim's muscle tissue. These facts suggest that in the third case, the purpose of the bear attack was to eat the man. In the second and fourth incidents, the bear retaliated against being shot by the hunter. In the second incident a 70 year old man was left in a critical condition. In the fourth incident, an 81 year old man was killed instantly. The causes of bear attacks against people can be divided into three general categorys; to eat people, to repel people and to play with people. Three of the incidents are in the category of repelling people, the other incident is in the category of attacking to eat.

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This study continues our survey of the population of feral raccoons and their habitat use. Following our survey in 2000, three additional areas in Iwamisawa and the Kurisawa Hills were added to nine study locations in Maoi Hills and Nopporo Hills in 2001. From July to October 50 live traps were set at 400-500m intervals at each location for 21 consecutive nights. A total of 197 raccoons were caught, including 116 adults (71 females, 45 males) and 81 young. In locations along Route 274 and in Nopporominami the number of raccoons caught was greater than in 2000. Although overall, the number of raccoons caught was 60% lower than in 2000. The populations of adult and young were estimated separately by the removal method. These estimates for the total populations of these areas were 265:158 adult and 107 young. The population density per 100 ha was estimated according to the catches for two areas including 200m and 400m zones surrounding the trap-lines. In Maoi Hills, some locations with high populations had 3-4 animals in the 200m zone and 2-3 in the 400m zone. In comparison, some locations with low populations in Maoi Hills, Nopporo, Iwamisawa Hills, and Kurisawa Hills had only 1-2 animals in the 200m zone, and 0.5-1.5 in the 400m zone. Raccoon habitat use was analyzed using the Quantification II method, with data from 906 locations in 2000 and 2001. Outside variables were divided into three categories: 1 = no catch; 2 = one catch; and 3 = two or more catches. The general environmental items considered were land use, forest type, vegetation type, water availability, distance from cattle sheds or houses, catching period and years. Catching period and land use factors were the factors with the greatest influence on whether catches were made or not, while land use, distance from sheds, and water availability were the factors with the greatest effect in relation to the size of the local population. Factors with high positive scores for presence of raccoons included land use items such as forest edge in rice field areas, proximity to rice fields, presence of wasteland, and gardens. Among vegetation types areas of reed (Phragmites spp.) had high scores; as did the presence of ponds in the water availability category, and "within 100m" in the distance from sheds category, however the factors with high scores changed from year to year. These results indicate that the preferred habitats of raccoons in west Hokkaido include forest edges in areas with rice field, areas within 100m of cattle sheds, and around ponds and reed beds.

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As the population of Hokkaido sika deer has increased, more and more agricultural/forestry damages have been reported. Damages are serious, especially in eastern Hokkaido. Recently, deer have been observed in wetlands. In this study, field research was conducted to determine what kinds of places in Kiritappu wetland are most frequented by deer. 20 research plots were selected, and in order to estimate the total number of deer per plot, the number of pellets in each plot was counted. Pellets were found in 12 out of 20 plots (each plot is 10 by 10 square meters). The estimated number of deer in the wetland-mountain bases is the largest (4.64/day/square kilometer). Features which heavily influence on the number of deer are moisture, distance from shrubs/forests, and distance from shore. Wildlife management based on estimated proper population is just started in Japan. In case of Hokkaido sika deer, main targets of management are avoidance of extinction, alleviation of agricultural/forestry damages. As the next step, the importance of the number of deer, which each vegetations can sustain, should be emphasized.

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The field signs of Sika Deer Cervus nippon were surveyed in July, September, and October 1989, on the northern slope and at the foot of Mt. East-Nupukaushi, Shikaribetsu district, Hokkaido. Deer trails seemed to follow regular courses, along the U shape or V shape valley, crossing the narrow lowest ridge between Mt. Nupukaushi and Mt. Hakun, and from there radiating down in all directions to the lower slopes of the mountain. The diet of deer in this area consists of herbs, grasses, and leaves of shrubs and young trees. Seven species of herbs, and the leaves of 31 species of broad-leaved tree were recorded as being eaten. Coniferous tree needles were not eaten. Although grasses such as Calamagrostis spp. were widely distributed throughout the area, deer seem only to graze on them around their resting places. One factor leading to deer immigration into this area in summer, is that various kinds of shrubs and low, broad-leaved trees, which deer favour as food, were widely distributed in the valley. Damage caused by antler scraping was found commonly on the trunks of small Todo Fir (Abies sachalinensis) up to 10 cm in diameter of breast height, but only rarely on the trunks of Ezo Spruce (Picea glehnii). One reason for this difference is thought to be because the spruce produces many twigs below the height of a deer's head, while the fir has few low twigs to hinder deer approaching the trunks.

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Four species of mammals and 42 species of birds were recorded on Kenbokki Island in 1999. No amphibians or reptiles were recorded during surveys of the island, and the island's isolation and the few habitats available there indicate that there is little possibility of either group inhabiting the island. Two small mammals, one shrew Sorex unguiculatus and one vole Clethrionomys rufocanus breed on the island. The seal Phoca vitulina occurs in the sea around the island, and Sika Deer Cervus nippon occasionally visit the island. The bird species proven to breed on Kenbokki Island are Leach's Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa, Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus, Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii, Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus, and Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. By far the commonest of these is O. leucorhoa, of which there are thought to be 20,000 pairs.

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