New article release: A Guide to Hitchhiking in Japan
November 3, 2022
My latest article on the practicalities of how to hitchhike in Japan is out now in TokyoCheapo’s website. Feel free to take a look here
Author: Eli Sooker
New Zealand Ranger > Japan Bear Conservationist Writer ✍️・Wildlife photographer💚・Adamant traveler ✈️🌍elisooker.com
A Day in the Life of a Bear Conservationist
February 11, 2022
Thanks to Global Hobo for publishing another one of my stories. You can read it here
Brown Bear Incident in Sapporo 18/06/2021
June 22, 2021
The incident in Sapporo on Friday has been getting a lot of media attention, even across the world.I want to briefly translate the explanation for the bear’s behaviour given by brown bear experts in Hokkaido. Firstly, this is a surprise even to bear experts–How did this bear get here…??? It was a relatively young bear … More Brown Bear Incident in Sapporo 18/06/2021
Top 10 Japanese Animals and Where To Find Them
June 3, 2021
My new article on wildlife-watching in Japan, “Top 10 Japanese Animals and Where To Find Them” has been published and released on https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/10267/
Bear Attacks and Coexistence in Japan
March 24, 2021
New article published on AllAboutJapan: https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/9775/
Published on WildPlanet magazine
March 3, 2021
I won the “Inspiring Young Artist” category in WildPlanet photography magazine, 2021 March issue. My photos and a brief interview have been published here and is viewable for a limited time only. Please consider buying the full magazine
Interviewed by Kokoro Media
February 13, 2021
Amélie Geeraert of Kokoro Media recently interviewed me about my blog, photography and discussed Japan’s nature hotspots and bear coexistence issues with me. The interview made the front page of Kokoro Media’s website and has been published here
“A Dream of Bears in A Land Without Bears”
December 14, 2020
Read before link expires on Dec 31st In October, I spent a month volunteering and later did paid data entry work for the Shikoku Natural History Scientific Research Centre. As part of my experience here, I gave a seminar on my work as a conservationist, comparing both New Zealand and Japanese conservation issues and explaining … More “A Dream of Bears in A Land Without Bears”
Mt Nekodake: Azumaya’s Littler Neighbour
August 8, 2020
My friends and I finally found a day off that we shared (all of us work irregular shifts rather than having weekends or set days off) and agreed to go hiking together. It had been a while since our first escapade together to Myogi-san in Gunma Prefecture and we were keen for more. While not as precarious … More Mt Nekodake: Azumaya’s Littler Neighbour
Backyard Birdies #2: 2/04/20, 7/4/20: Brown-Eared Bulbul, the Gypsy Bird?!?
June 15, 2020
The fascinating brown-eared bulbul, common in Japan but not as ordinary as you might think! Note: First pic of the post in at Shinrakuji Temple in Miyota, the other two at my apartment backyard again. There was so much more I could write in the Insta post description…but don’t want to overwhelm the photo so … More Backyard Birdies #2: 2/04/20, 7/4/20: Brown-Eared Bulbul, the Gypsy Bird?!?
Eli Sooker 