Factors include climate change, deforestation, and declining regional human populations.

Authorities in Japan are searching for a black bear in connection with the gruesome deaths of three people in the last week, including one man who was decapitated, AFP reported.

Three Bodies Discovered In One Week

Two bodies were discovered last week in the Iwate Prefecture. The first, found on Oct. 8, was found by witnesses who told local outlets that the man's head had been separated from his torso. On Oct. 10, a man in his 70s was reported missing after heading out into the woods to scavenge. He was later found dead, and authorities believe that a black bear is to blame. "We suspect he was attacked by a bear based on scratch marks," officials said. Then, on Saturday, a 78-year-old man was found deceased within the Nagano Prefecture. Though the most recent death is still under investigation, authorities say the victim suffered from claw-like marks similar to the second attack.

Supermarket Attack Leaves Victims Injured

The three fatal incidents occurred around the same time as a terrifying, though non-fatal, episode in a supermarket in Numata City. On Oct. 7, at around 7:30 p.m. local time, "a bear entered a supermarket" in which about 40 people were shopping and headed straight for the raw fish and sushi department. During the incident, the bear "injur[ed] one man, and another man was attacked and injured by the bear when he noticed the bear at the entrance and tried to escape," according to a statement from the Gunma Prefectural Government Office.

"It looked to me as if the bear was confused," a store manager told local media. "It was in the store for 10 to 15 minutes. It didn't look like it was foraging."

Japan Has Seen Sharp Increase In Bear Attacks

Japan has seen a significant increase in the number of bear attacks in recent years due to a number of factors, such as climate change, deforestation, and a decline in human population in some regions. Between April and September of this year, 103 people have been attacked by bears in Japan. Six of those attacks proved fatal.

The country is home to two different types of bear: the Asian black bear and the Ussuri brown bear. Asian black bears can weigh up to 440 pounds and are omnivorous, eating insects, fruit, nuts, small mammals, and birds. Ussuri brown bears, on the other hand, can weigh as much as 1,210 pounds but are nominally vegetarians. However, they have been known to kill any prey that wanders through their habitat.

3 Dead In 1 Week Amidst Sharp Increase In Bear Attacks