Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
Japan
deploy wolf robots in vulnerable areas
wild bear
, to keep the animals away after a series of deadly attacks.
The robot, called the Monster Wolf, was developed by engineering company Ohta Seiki in Hokkaido, to protect farmland, hiking trails and other areas where bears could potentially visit.
When an animal approaches, the robot’s infrared sensors activate: red eyes light up, the head turns, blue LED lights flash, and a loud sound like a car horn is heard.
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
The device can play around 50 different sounds including animal howls and human voices.
“Bears are very alert animals and often act alone,” Ohta Seiki president Yuji Ota told Kyodo News.
“If there is a loud noise, they will think there is something there and will not come closer,” he added, as quoted by the Independent.
Although initially considered a gimmick in 2016, the mechanical wolf has been proven in recent trials to show its effectiveness.Now, as many as 330 units are deployed across Japan in areas where bears are frequently seen.
“It has been a success. To date, no one has questioned its effectiveness, nor have we faced any returns due to dissatisfaction,” Seiki said in an interview.
“I think it’s much more cost effective to threaten it with machines and drive it out of the village than it is for lots of people to go and eradicate it,” he added.
Seiki said his company is also developing a remote-controlled Wolf Mover to repel bears and a portable version for hikers and campers.
However, zoologist from the University of Malaysia, Nobuyuki Yamaguchi, told ABC News that the robot has limitations.
“While light and sound can startle wildlife, many animals learn and adapt. Once most species realize there is no real danger, the deterrent effect may diminish,” he said.
“To wildlife, humans are scary monsters, much scarier than even lions! That’s the beauty of evolution, some of our reactions are formed through the evolutionary process. Brown bears and wolves evolved almost side by side, and brown bears may ‘know’ what a wolf is, and vice versa,” he added.
Bear attacks increased sharply.Japanese media NHK reported as many as 235 injuries and at least 13 people died in 21 prefectures as of December 10.
Akita recorded the highest incidence, with 66 cases.Although bears hibernate in winter, attacks still occur.
The military was deployed in Akita to help catch the bears after local officials were overwhelmed.
The Japanese government revised an old regulation to allow police to shoot bears, as previously only licensed hunters were allowed.
Researchers warn Japan may face a spike in bear attacks as the harvest of beech tree nuts, an important food for Asiatic black bears, is predicted to decline by 2027.
(rnp/dna)
Read More: SEA Games schedule for Saturday 13 December 2025
Read More: Title not found
