Bear alert in Japan after man found dead and police officers mauled

People in northeastern Japan have been warned to stay vigilant after a man was found dead with gash wounds and police officers were left with serious injuries.

Two officers were attacked on Saturday in Kazuno city, Akita prefecture, while recovering the missing man's body, Japanese media said.

He was found dead after going looking for bamboo shoots in the mountains a few days before.

It is yet to be confirmed whether a bear was responsible.

The officers' injuries, while serious, are not believed to be life-threatening.

A police helicopter and cars are involved in the search for the bears. Wooded areas in Kazuno have been closed "for an indefinite time" - with warning signs also put up.

Residents have been warned not to go out at night and keep bells, or something similar, to hand to scare bears away if they encounter them.

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Japan is home to thousands of Asiatic black bears and attacks have increased as humans encroach further into their territory.

A scarcity of acorns and berries, which some believe may be connected to climate change, is also a potential factor as the bears venture into developed areas for food.