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Japan’s ‘Monster Wolf’ Robots Face Backlog as Bear Attacks Rise

A spike in bear encounters has turned a once-mocked farm deterrent into a sought-after safety tool.

Overview

  • Ohta Seiki, which said Wednesday it has taken about 50 orders this year, now tells customers to wait two to three months for delivery.
  • The motion-activated device uses sensors, flashing red eyes and more than 50 loud sounds to scare bears and other wildlife away.
  • Official data show 13 people were killed in bear attacks in 2025–2026, with more than 50,000 sightings nationwide and a record 14,601 bears culled.
  • Bears have been reported entering homes, near schools and inside shops, with some northern areas seeing April sightings more than four times last year.
  • The company is developing wheeled patrol versions, a handheld model for people on the move and future units with AI-enabled cameras.