Gov't panel urges start of subsidized bear culls as attacks rise

A Japanese government panel on Thursday proposed the introduction of state-subsidized bear culls after attacks on humans surged to a record high this fiscal year.The panel of experts urged municipalities to create well-defined zoning of land to divide the animals' habitat from areas where people live while monitoring the size of the animal population to ensure it remains at a healthy level, it said.Under the proposal, the Environment Ministry panel said bears should be included in the "designated wildlife species for control and capture program" that makes available state funding for cullin…READ FULL ARTICLE