"Monster wolf" robots in high demand to scare off bears in Japan after record number of attacks
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- Japanese company Ohta Seiki is overwhelmed with orders for its "Monster Wolf" animatronic robot wolves, designed to scare away bears following a record surge in fatal bear attacks across Japan.
- The robot features flashing red LED eyes, howling sounds, and can broadcast over 50 types of recorded noises audible up to one kilometer, with prices starting around $4,000.
- In 2025-2026, bear attacks killed 13 people and injured over 200, with more than 50,000 bear sightings nationwide, leading to increased demand for wildlife deterrents from farmers and rural workers.
- The company is enhancing the device by adding mobility and plans to develop handheld versions and AI camera integrations to improve effectiveness for hikers, anglers, and schoolchildren.
- Experts attribute the surge in bear encounters to growing bear populations and rural depopulation, which allows bears to expand their range into human-inhabited areas.