- A Japanese manufacturer, Ohta Seiki, is experiencing a significant increase in orders for its animatronic 'Monster Wolf' device, designed to deter wild animals.
- The surge in demand is attributed to a record number of bear attacks in Japan, with 13 fatal incidents recorded in 2025-2026 and over 50,000 sightings nationwide.
- The 'Monster Wolf' is a motion-activated scarecrow featuring artificial fur, flashing red LED eyes, a menacing face, and a tail with blue LEDs, capable of broadcasting around 50 different sounds.
- Initially launched in 2016 to protect agricultural land from deer, boars, and bears, the device costs approximately £3,000 for a base model.
- Ohta Seiki is developing upgrades, including a wheeled version for patrolling and a handheld model for individuals, and is exploring the integration of AI cameras for future iterations.
IN FULL
Japan’s robot wolf sells out as record bear attacks drive demand: ‘We cannot make them fast enough’
