Monday, October 1, 2012

Captured in Idehara, an Asian black bear has been released into a nature preserve within Tanzawa/Kanagawa


Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209290012/

September 29, 2012
The captured Asian black bear (Photo provided by the Kanagawa Prefecture Nature Preservation Department)

Within a persimmon field in Koyasu, Isehara City, an Asian black bear was discovered in a cage trap. A man living nearby made the discovery at about 6:00AM of the 29th, alerting the city who then contacted prefecture officials.

According to the Prefecture Nature Preservation Department, the bear was a mature male at a body length of 149 centimeters (58.7 inches) and weight of 86 kilograms (189 pounds). In response to continuous neighborhood eyewitness reports since the middle of September, the cage was installed on the 27th.

30 Asian black bears inhabit the Tanzawa mountains. Because they're in danger of extinction, prefecture officials released the bear into a nature preserve deep within the Tanzawa mountainous area at about 2:45PM of the same day. On the occasion that a bear once again appears in an area inhabited by humans, it's said that a measure one can take is to spray them with substances they dislike, such as cayenne pepper.


Original text:
伊勢原でツキノワグマ捕獲、丹沢の鳥獣保護区に放す/神奈川
2012年9月29日

捕獲されたツキノワグマ(県自然環境保全課提供)

29日午前6時ごろ、伊勢原市子易の柿畑に設置された捕獲用の檻(おり)に、ツキノワグマ1頭がかかっているのを近くに住む男性が発見し、市を通じて県に連絡した。

県自然環境保全課によると、捕獲されたのは雄で、体長149センチ、体重86キロの成獣。付近では今月中旬からツキノワグマの目撃情報が相次いでいたため、27日から檻を設置していた。

丹沢のツキノワグマは生息数が約30頭で絶滅の恐れがあるため、29日午後2時45分ごろ、県職員が丹沢山地奥山の鳥獣保護区内に放した。その際、再び人里に出没しないよう、クマが嫌がる唐辛子などが入ったスプレーを吹き掛けるなどの措置を取ったという。

Sunday, September 30, 2012

“Growing bigger towards being the town’s specialty”. The harvesting of Halloween pumpkins in Kiyokawa/Kanagawa


Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209290009/

September 29, 2012
A yield of large pumpkins for Halloween=Susugaya, Kiyokawa

At an unused farming area near the public offices of Susugaya, Kiyokawa, Halloween pumpkins have been harvested. Halloween is an annual event taking place on October 31. It’s customary to create decorations by carving faces into orange pumpkins, then placing a candle inside for light.

Mr. Kenya Yamaguchi (58) began harvesting pumpkins five years prior. This year, he also made use of some unused farming space in the village, bringing in an additional three workers to grow the pumpkins, which reach a circumference of about 30 centimeters. The Yamaguchis said "We would like to grow our pumpkins into being the greatest product of the village."


Original text:
「村の逸品へさらに大きく」 清川村でハロウィーン用カボチャ収穫/神奈川
2012929

収穫されたハロウィーン用の大きなカボチャ=清川村煤ケ谷

清川村煤ケ谷の清川村役場近くの遊休農地で、「ハロウィーン」用の大きなカボチャが収穫されている。ハロウィーンは毎年10月31日に開かれるイベントで、オレンジ色のカボチャを掘り抜いて顔の形にし、内側をろうそくで照らして飾る風習がある。

 同村では山口健也さん(58)が5年前から作り始めた。ことしからは村の遊休農地も使い、生産者も3人に増えた。大きいもので直径30センチほど。山口さんらは「清川村の逸品としてさらに大きく育てたい」と話していた。