Billy Halloran, a 32-year-old resident of Myoko in Japan, knows the surrounding forests very well, as he regularly walks and runs there frequently, having even participated in ultramarathons. However, two weeks ago, one of his routine outings turned into a nightmarish experience. While running, he encountered two Asian black bears. “It was an adult, about 60 to 70 kilograms,” he reported. He tried to calmly move away, but one bear headed toward him and attacked. “I raised my arm to protect myself and it bit me. I fell down and with just one bite my arm was destroyed,” he described.
The bear injured his leg as well before finally retreating into the forest. Billy called his wife to pick him up and, despite his broken arm and severely injured leg, managed to run about one kilometer to meet her and wait for the ambulance. After three surgeries and the placement of plates in his arm, the 32-year-old is now recovering in the hospital.
A Japanese bear has attempted to gobble up a Kiwi in Niigata Prefecture. Billy Halloran from Auckland has had his arm snapped and was scratched all over in the altercation. Read ↓. 🇯🇵 🇳🇿 🧸 🏔️ https://t.co/nZGI9QVKa1
— Cole Cameron (@colecameron) October 19, 2025
Bear attack incidents in Japan have increased significantly this year
It should be noted that bear attack incidents in Japan have increased significantly this year. More than 100 people have been injured and at least seven have lost their lives. Experts say that climate change has reduced bears’ natural food sources, which is why they approach populated areas more frequently.
The Japanese government has announced stricter measures to control the bear population, while many residents are taking precautions, such as bells or music to keep them away. Halloran says that in the future he will carry bear spray with him, but doesn’t want to let fear stop him. “I’ll be more careful, but once I recover, I want to return to nature,” he said.