Flights were abruptly grounded at Japan’s Yamagata Airport on June 26th for a highly unusual reason: a black bear on the runway.
The initial sighting occurred around 7 a.m., prompting authorities to halt all air traffic. Despite some initial success in the efforts to drive the bear away, the animal reappeared around midday, triggering a second runway shutdown and the cancellation of 12 domestic flights. Destinations impacted included Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo.
By evening, the bear had disappeared, and operations cautiously resumed. But the incident was a stark reminder of a growing and costly aviation safety threat: wildlife incursions on runways.
More Than a One-Off
Japan has been witnessing a spike in bear encounters. In February this year, Japan’s Cabinet approved a Bill allowing hunters to shoot bears in populated areas after human encounters with bears hit record levels. Experts link this trend to climate change disrupting food sources and rural depopulation, both of which are driving wildlife closer to human infrastructure, including airports.
And Japan isn’t alone. Wildlife incursions at airports are a global issue, with incidents ranging from bird strikes during takeoff and landing to encounters with stray or wild animals on the runway. In January 2025, a United Airlines 737 MAX struck a coyote during takeoff from Chicago O’Hare, forcing the aircraft to return for inspection. In India, several airports have faced disruptions due to stray animals entering airside areas.
Enter the Unsung Heroes: Airside Monitoring Inspectors
Events like the Yamagata bear incursion highlight the vital role of airside monitoring inspectors and wildlife hazard management teams. These professionals work behind the scenes to keep runways safe from feathered and four-legged threats alike.
Their responsibilities include:
- Routine airside patrols to check for animal tracks, fence breaches, and vegetation overgrowth
- Monitoring migration and behavior patterns of local wildlife
- Deploying deterrent systems like lights, sounds, netting, and habitat modifications
- Coordinating emergency responses with wildlife officials, hunters, or law enforcement
- Keeping airports compliant with ICAO and local aviation authority regulations
Globally, wildlife strikes cost the aviation industry over $1 billion per year, with both safety and scheduling at risk.
A Global Safety Challenge
With climate shifts and expanding urban footprints, wildlife incursions are no longer rare freak events. They’re now a growing part of the aviation safety equation. From bears on runways in Japan to coyotes in Chicago and cattle in India, airports are on the front lines of this evolving challenge. The people managing these risks are an essential part of keeping the skies and the tarmac safe.
ICAO Annex 14, which governs aerodrome operations, requires airports to implement wildlife hazard reduction programs, including regular assessments, exclusion measures, and strike reporting protocols to minimize threats to aircraft safety.
The bear at Yamagata may have made headlines for its novelty, but for airside teams, it’s a serious reminder: runway safety begins on the ground.
Screenshot via Nippon TV video
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