- Japanese manufacturer Ohta Seiki is experiencing an unprecedented surge in orders for its "Monster Wolf" animatronic device, designed to deter wild animals, with about 50 orders received this year, exceeding typical annual volumes and causing a two to three-month waiting list.
- This heightened demand is a direct response to a record number of bear attacks in Japan, including 13 fatal incidents in 2025-2026 and over 50,000 sightings nationwide, prompting a significant increase in bear culling to 14,601.
- The "Monster Wolf" is a motion-activated scarecrow featuring artificial fur, flashing red LED eyes, a menacing open-mouthed face, and a blue LED tail, capable of broadcasting around 50 different sounds and turning its head to simulate a prowling predator.
- Initially introduced in 2016 to safeguard agricultural land from deer, boars, and bears, the device, costing approximately £3,000 for a base model, is now primarily purchased by farmers, golf course operators, and individuals working in rural areas.
- Ohta Seiki plans to enhance the device with future upgrades, including adding wheels for patrolling, developing a handheld version for personal protection, and integrating AI cameras into subsequent models to further address the escalating wildlife concerns.
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