The population of snapping turtles has surged around Inba Pond in Chiba Prefecture increasing concerns that the alien species may pose a danger to humans and harm the local ecosystem.

Snapping turtles, which inhabit a wide area from southern Canada through South America, have been imported as pets since the 1960s. Some have evidently made it into the wild.

In mid-June, local fishermen around Inba Pondcaught 44 snapping turtles, including in rivers neighboring the lake.