Robot wolf to discourage bears sparks terror as agency struggles to satisfy excessive demand
A horror film-style “Super Monster Wolf” robot is dividing social media as Japan’s bear attacks surge, with a small firm swamped by orders and a three-month wait
A wolf-like robot “Super Monster Wolf” stands beside a rice field to drive away wild animals that cause damage to crops in Kisarazu, Chiba prefecture(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Robot wolves are sparking both horrified reactions and excitement, as a small engineering firm is struggling to keep up with demand. While some netizens have predicted the bizarre high-tech tool will become a “Halloween best seller”, others say they find it unsettling, admitting they are frightened just by the sight of it.
The device known as “Super Monster Wolf” – or Kaiju-okami (monster wolf in Japanese) – is reminiscent of a prop from a low-budget horror film. Yet, the monster is currently in exceptionally high demand as a defence against a record surge of bear attacks in Japan.
Standing amongst the rural brush on a crude skeletal frame of metal scaffolding and covered in mangled, dark artificial fur, the animatronic scarecrow is deliberately designed to look as nightmarish as possible.
It has already ignited heated feedback online, as an Instagram user commented: “Ummm this would ‘thwart’ anyone in a hundred mile radius. Creepy af haha”
Someone else wrote: “That is definitely a werewolf mask from Halloween superstore.” Another noted: “That’s going to be the best seller this Halloween.”
And another commenter said: “Do they work for foxes? If so, advance order for 10 pls.”
Pictures of various monster wolves showcase faces with what look like bloodthirsty snarls. They also encompass demonic red LED eyes that light up in the dark.
Behind these gruesome robots is a small engineering firm in Hokkaido, Japan, and they have been struggling to keep up with demand. The monster wolf is designed to scare bears away from people and property, after Japan recorded a surge in sightings and attacks.
Ohta Seiki says orders for its “Super Monster Wolf” have jumped as communities look for non-lethal ways to deter animals from farms, worksites and public areas. The device is an animatronic deterrent powered by a rechargeable battery and typically paired with solar panels for remote use.
It is built to mimic a predator. Moreover, it has a moving head and more than 50 different sounds, ranging from wolf howls to human voices and gunfire-style bangs, to stop wildlife becoming accustomed to a single noise.
Reports say the audio can carry up to around a kilometre in open conditions. Ohta Seiki’s “Super Monster Wolf” costs upwards of $4,000 (£3,150 to £4,000).
The units are handmade in Hokkaido, and the company has reportedly warned that the spike in domestic orders has created a waiting time of around two to three months. In terms of size, the robot is described as being about 65cm long and roughly 50cm high, closer to a large dog than a real wolf.
Construction has been reported as an iron-pipe frame covered in artificial fur, with a moulded plastic head, designed to survive outdoor use in fields and rural settings. The main customers are said to be farmers aiming to protect crops, as well as golf courses and construction sites seeking to reduce the risk of dangerous encounters.
Local authorities have also shown interest in placing deterrents near areas where bears have been seen close to communities. The product is primarily aimed at organisations such as businesses and local government, but there is nothing inherent in the concept that would prevent a private buyer from ordering, provided they can pay and arrange delivery and installation.
Reports indicate the company’s focus is overwhelmingly on the Japanese market and that overseas expansion has been discussed, but shipping and support can be complicated for a bulky outdoor device with electronics, sensors and power equipment.
“We make them by hand,” the company president Yuji Ohta told AFP. “We cannot make them fast enough now.”
“We are asking our customers to wait two to three months¨.” Ohta added: “Awareness of bear safety and measures against wildlife damage (on farm products) improved.
“There was also a growing recognition that our product is effective in dealing with bears.”
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