Japanese Robot Monster Wolves To Scare Bears (And People) Away

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Japanese Robot Monster Wolves To Scare Bears (And People) Away

Made to scare bears away but I’m sure us humans will run too. What in the world is that?

Although it looks like a Halloween decoration, it’s not. We kinda wish it is but that’s the whole point of it looking scary. To prevent bear attacks. I seriously am not aware that bear attacks are a common thing in Japan.

According to The Guardian, apparently, bear attacks were something of a problem with 157 people got attacked by bears in 2019. 157 attacks in a year? Bears got busy. But since the Monster Wolves were installed, no bear attacks have occurred. That’s good but what about heart attacks? Any rising cases on those? I’m genuinely curious now.

https://twitter.com/nhk_news/status/1318076693597343746?s=20

Black bears’ recent attacks are probably due to a shortage of acorns in the Japanese wilderness, according to conservationists.

As part of their pre-hibernation diet, bears rely on acorns, and without the high-calorie nut, they have begun edging closer to cities to forage for food.

The barrier between bears and human homes has been narrowed by deforestation and growing cities. This contributes to more bear-to-human interaction, prompting attacks.

So robowolves are the decidedly human response to that problem. I mean I guess?

A robot called Monster Wolf, equipped with sensors that can detect bears or vermin, is installed in an effort to scare away bears that have become an increasingly dangerous nuisance in the countryside, in Takikawa on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 21, 2020. Picture taken October 21, 2020. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. JAPAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN JAPAN.

The wolves scare away bears by moving and making loud noises. I mean you can make a scarecrow do that too but wolves are fine I guess. They’re also robotic and lifeless, producing a flavour of scary appropriate to the history of the real-life wolves upon which these robots are based.

Black bears and wolves used to share the central and northern regions of Japan, but sadly because of hunting and resource competition, the wolves were driven to extinction.

So I guess in a way, these robowolves are their modern ghosts. Taking their place and avenge those who wronged them. They’re effective at dealing with Japan’s current bear problem, but these “wolves” won’t necessarily solve the problem completely as they may also be a portent of a possible future for the black bears if a better solution isn’t found.