**6. Conclusion**

Human injury incidents occurred in early June. In order to examine the background of the incidents, we separated data of June into early (1st to 10th), middle (11th to 20th), and late (21st to 30th). The number of sighting reports was large in early June and decreased in middle and late June (**Figure 4**). The core area was largest in early June and become smaller in middle and late June (**Figure 5**).

We found that most of the Asiatic black bears in Oze NP did not habituate to human or artificial foods [3]. But some bears persist of some natural foods near the area where visitors are active. In 2004, a male bear occurred frequently around Yamanohana area where three hiking lodges and the visitor center are aggregated. This male was live captured and radio collared before released at about 10 km remote site. In 2007, this male bear occurred around Yamanohana and Ryugu areas in Ozegahara (**Figure 1**). This male bear caused all seven cases of problematic response in 2007. Since the bear was radio collared in 2004, we could monitor it and treated it

In 2006, two subadult bears frequently occurred around Yamanohana area in August. All 11 cases of chasing in 2006 were against these bears. They persisted community of skunk cabbage and ate anthotaxy of skunk cabbage exclusively [3]. Although they did not show avoidance of behavior to humans, they did not show any behavior trying to approach humans or artificial foods.

Similarly in 2009, one subadult bear frequently occurred around Yamanohana area in August. Both cases of chasing in 2009 were against this bear. Other situations were also similar to those in 2005. These results indicates that bears in Oze NP were not habituated to artificial foods, but some of them, usually younger bears, do not mind humans, and if artificial foods were available for them, they would easily habituate. And, we found that such bears could be managed rela-

But once a bear is habituated, risks for visitors and thus efforts to prevent bear-human conflicts will significantly increase. All staffs engaging habituated bears must be well trained, but such human resource is difficult to secure in Japan. Thus, the most important management action in Oze NP is to prevent making habituated bears. Visitor education not to feed bears by lecture, leaflet, and notice of information calling for attention is the most important action.

Visitor education should be conducted throughout open season as a routine action mainly by a bear management staff. Added to this, staffs should stand by in months where bears

Bear sighting occurred most frequently in August. Thus, the increase of the number of staffs in this month should be discussed. Mean bear occurrence in August was more than once a day (33.5 ± 8.5). Thus, at least two bear management staffs are needed. Since the core area was small in August (**Figure 4**), staffs may stand by at a single site in or near the core area. From

these points, two staffs should stand by at Yamanohana area in August.

quickly before it came near to the hiking lodge or walk board in 2007.

**5. Discussion**

82 National Parks - Management and Conservation

**5.1. Nuisance bear**

tively easily if it was radio collared.

**5.2. Proper staff assignment**

frequently occur.

We found that the Asiatic black bears in Oze NP did not habituate to humans or artificial foods. This suggests that all efforts could be put into preventing from making "nuisance bears" in Oze NP. Relatively small number of staffs may cover the whole area of the national park. But if bears habituate, not only more possibility of injury accidents which may occur will be higher, but also the cost for bear management will be much higher resulting in employment of a larger number of trained bear management staffs. Daily action of visitor education with bear management staffs is the most important management action. If human injured incidence did not occur in a long period, attentions tend to be neglected. Headquarters of national parks should keep these in mind at any time.

Of cause, these points are similar to other natural parks. Both staffs and visitors of national parks should understand that feeding wildlife, especially carnivorous large animals, results in considerable increase in not only the risks but also financial burdens.
