Captive attractions: Japan's bear parks under scrutiny

Japan's bear parks, acclaimed as tourist attractions and educational centres, face scrutiny over conditions and treatment. Ruby Alexander reports

In the remote forests of Japan, nestled amidst serene mountains, lie concrete pits home to hundreds of Japanese brown and black bears.

These bear parks have drawn widespread criticism for their inhumane conditions and treatment of the animals.

“It’s the bare minimum. They have a hole, they have food, and they have water,” said Heath Leary, a tourist who recently visited Okuhida Bear’s Ranch.

A bear captive in a small enclosure at Okuhida Bear’s Ranch. Photo: Ruby Alexander

Visitors are lured by the promise of close encounters with these bears and bear cubs in cute outfits, but what they often witness is the harsh reality of animal cruelty in these parks.

“We were in the middle of the forest. We expected the bears to be healthy in their natural habitat. I was so shocked,” said Mia Bakewell, another tourist who visited a Japanese bear park.

“After being there for ten minutes, I couldn’t help but cry. I had to leave.”

“We were hours into the forest, staying at an onsen. We were told the only thing within walking distance was this bear park, which was advertised to us as a sanctuary,” Bakewell continued. “There was definitely some misleading information.”

In these parks, bears are confined to concrete pits, far removed from their natural forested habitat. These pits are often overcrowded, with uneven ground and devoid of any entertainment for the animals.

A bear enclosure at Okuhida Bear’s Ranch. Photo: Ruby Alexander

Although many bear species are solitary, social interactions in captivity can be beneficial if monitored to prevent stress and aggression.

However, these parks often go unmonitored and house too many bears in one enclosure.

“When we walked in, we were instantly struck by the concrete hole. It was just a couple of bears sitting on this concrete slab. There wasn’t much there besides the bears and concrete. There was a bit of water and some vending machines from which we could buy food to throw down to the bears,” said Leary.

“There was one employee at the service desk. I don’t think there were any zookeepers present.”

Some of these bears in pits are the lucky ones; the less fortunate are found in small concrete cells, just large enough to hold them. Leary described these enclosures as “one-by-one concrete cells with metal bars in the wall,” saying they “heavily resembled a prison cell.”

A request for a comment was sent to Okuhida Bear’s Ranch but received no response.

Bears lounge on a concrete slab. Photo: Ruby Alexander

While it’s unclear why these bears are confined to such cells, experts believe they could be isolated due to illness or problematic behaviour. Leary added: “The bear in there looked very unhealthy, like it had rashes on it. Something was wrong with its back right leg, and it was just walking in circles.”

Georgina Groves, the co-founder and former executive director of Wild Welfare, has visited five Japanese bear parks to conduct welfare audits.

“The concern is obvious – the immense welfare suffering going on in these parks because they are incredibly unnatural. They are essentially bear pits,” said Groves.

Visitors can purchase kibble from nearby vending machines to throw to the bears.

“They were all just begging, trying to entice us to throw food at them. Some were praying, clapping, and others were waving with their paws in the air,” said Bakewell.

This situation not only perpetuates aggression among the bears, who often fight over food, but also leads to severe psychological stress and physical health problems. The kibble provides minimal nutrients and can result in adverse health conditions.

Heath Leary at the bear park. Photo: Ruby Alexander

Groves noted that feeding kibble “creates multiple problems because you're giving a poor diet to bears who shouldn’t really be eating kibble, or at least not as a main part of their diet, and you’re encouraging behaviours such as begging.”

Bears have diverse diets and require several feeding strategies. Whole carcass feeding simulates natural behaviours and promotes dental health. A variety of foods, including meats, produce, and local plants, encourages natural foraging. Feeding devices, such as food puzzles and scattered feeding, provide mental stimulation and physical activity, mimicking natural behaviours.

Reports and investigations reveal that many of these animals exhibit behaviours such as pacing in circles and head swaying – signs of distress and boredom.

Experts suggest that these behaviours are coping mechanisms developed due to living in such unnatural environments, possibly to alleviate boredom.

According to the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK), bears are strong and intelligent animals that require large, stimulating environments. Ideal enclosures for bears include climbing structures, such as trees, ropes, and logs, to mimic natural climbing behaviour. Grass, soil, and mulch are essential for digging and nest-building activities, and water features like pools and streams are ideal for drinking, swimming, and foraging.

Additionally, visual barriers and shelters help reduce stress from public exposure.