TOKYO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A bear broke into an elderly resident's home in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, and rummaged through a refrigerator in search of food, local media reported Tuesday.
According to Kyodo News, an 87-year-old man living in the town of Shizukuishi discovered the bear in his kitchen Monday night after hearing a noise inside the house and going to investigate. His wife called emergency services.
Police believe the bear entered through a back door, searched the refrigerator for food, and left through the same door. Food items were later found scattered across the floor.
The latest incident added to a series of bear encounters that have raised the alarm among residents. Last week, a bear made four unwanted visits to the home of a 70-year-old resident in the same town, making off with cat food and pickles, police said. No injuries were reported.
Bear sightings have been reported repeatedly across Japan in recent weeks amid persistent hot weather.
In the northern prefecture of Hokkaido, a brown bear encounter forced the emergency closure of hiking trails on Mount Rausu last Thursday, only days after the climbing season began on July 5. ■
