Two bears have been spotted in a persimmon tree in a residential area in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Police say they received a call from a passerby early on Monday that two bears were in a tree near a house in the town of Iwaizumi.

As of 11 a.m., the animals were still in the tree. No one has been injured.

An NHK camera crew took footage of the two bears in the branches of a tree with many persimmons.

Town officials say hunting rifles cannot be used to shoot the animals, citing the risk of causing damage to homes.

Police officers are on the scene, controlling traffic nearby. The bears may run into the downtown area if firecrackers are used to drive them away.

The location is near an elementary school and about one kilometer northwest of the town hall.

Police say two bears spent about three hours in the same tree last week. The school has reportedly asked parents and guardians to escort students to and from school.

nhk