Photo/Illutration A hunter stands with his rifle at the ready in case the bear descends from a tree into the schoolyard of an elementary school in Obihiro, Hokkaido. This photo was taken at 9:57 a.m. on Dec. 1. (Shigehito Nakazawa)

OBIHIRO, Hokkaido--Licensed hunters shot a brown bear dead in the grounds of an elementary school here Dec. 1, hours after the animal wandered into the central city's residential area.

The bear was shot after it took refuge in a tree in the schoolyard of Obihiro Municipal Elementary School. Police officers and hunters decided to kill it after a four-hour standoff.

No one was injured during the incident.

The task was performed by three members of a local hunting association.

The female bear measured about 1.5 meters and weighed about 130 kilograms, city officials and police said.

Bear sightings are rare in Obihiro as the city is located in a central part of the sprawling Tokachi Plain and far away from mountains. The bear is thought to have made its way into the city by walking along the banks of a nearby river.

“The hibernation period is approaching, so the bear might have wandered into the urban area looking for food,” an expert said.

Police and others started searching for the bear after it was first spotted on a road in the city a little past 1:50 a.m.

Around 7 a.m., the bear was seen near the elementary school, prompting police and members of the hunting association to rush to the scene.

The school is located about 1 kilometer northwest of JR Obihiro Station.

Police cars patrolled the area while city officials called on residents to stay inside their homes.

Police blocked off access to the area around the school in the meantime.

“I’m very surprised a bear appeared in such a central area,” said a 77-year-old man who lives nearby.