A Japanese company producing robotic wolf scarecrows is struggling to keep up with soaring demand after record numbers of fatal bear attacks were reported across the country last year.
The device, known as “Monster Wolf”, is an animatronic robot designed to scare away wild animals using flashing red eyes, growling sounds and loud howls.
Ohta Seiki, the Hokkaido-based company behind the invention, said it has already received around 50 orders this year alone — a figure that normally matches its total annual sales volume.
Company president Yuji Ohta said the devices are handmade, making it difficult to cope with the sudden increase in demand.
“We make them by hand. We cannot make them fast enough now. We are asking customers to wait between two and three months,” he told AFP.
According to Ohta, public awareness regarding bear safety and wildlife-related damage has increased significantly following a rise in dangerous encounters involving bears.
“There is now greater recognition that our product is effective in dealing with bears,” he said.
Most orders reportedly come from farmers, golf course operators and workers in rural industries such as construction.
Japan recorded 13 deaths linked to bear attacks during the 2025-2026 period, more than double the previous highest figure recorded nationwide.
Official data also showed more than 50,000 bear sightings across the country, surpassing the previous record set two years earlier.
The animals have reportedly been spotted entering homes, wandering near schools and appearing in supermarkets as well as hot spring resorts almost daily in some areas.
Authorities also captured and culled 14,601 bears last year, nearly triple the number recorded the year before and the highest figure ever documented.
Some northern regions reportedly experienced more than four times as many sightings this April compared to last year as bears emerged from hibernation.
The Monster Wolf device features artificial fur mounted on a pipe frame, complete with speakers and a large open-mouthed wolf face designed to appear intimidating.
Priced from around US$4,000, the system includes batteries, solar panels, motion sensors and audio equipment capable of broadcasting more than 50 different sounds, including human voices and electronic noises audible up to one kilometre away.
The robot can also move its head from side to side while flashing red LED eyes, with additional blue LED lights attached to its tail.
Ohta first introduced the invention in 2016 to protect crops from wildlife such as deer, boars and bears, although the idea was initially dismissed by some as a gimmick.
The company is now developing upgraded versions mounted on wheels that can patrol areas or actively chase animals away. Ohta also plans to create portable handheld versions for hikers, anglers and schoolchildren, while exploring the use of artificial intelligence cameras in future models.
“We wanted to use our manufacturing expertise to contribute towards dealing with bear-related threats,” he said.
