Smartwatch GPS Data Reveals Japanese Hiker's Final Moments Before Fatal Bear Attack in Hokkaido

Dec 14, 2025 03:33 pm CST

A hiker's smartwatch in Hokkaido, Japan provided crucial GPS data revealing his final moments before being fatally mauled by a bear in August. The device showed how the victim fell down a slope near Mount Rausu trail and later how the bear returned to move his body. This incident adds to Japan's record 13 bear-related fatalities in 2025, highlighting growing concerns about human-wildlife encounters in the region.