MORIOKA, Iwate — A bear cub was found to have entered the underground carpark of a bank in Morioka early on the morning of Oct 28, causing an uproar in the neighbourhood.

The animal was later tranquillized with a blowgun and captured.

Security guards at the Bank of Iwate’s head office reported to police around 6.45am (5.45am, Singapore time) that the bear cub had entered the carpark of the bank, which is located in a district that includes the prefectural government office and courts.

Police blocked the carpark’s exits and entrances. About three and a half hours later, the bear was tranquillized by a veterinarian with a blowgun and captured.

The bank was open as usual, and no one was injured.

The city’s board of education said that nine elementary and junior high schools in the area asked parents to accompany their children on their way to school.

City government officials are calling on people to stay alert and have increased patrols with information vehicles. The city government has also distributed bear safety information on social media. THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK