Japan's robot wolves see surge in orders amid record bear attacks

Japanese firm Ohta Seiki, based in Hokkaido, has seen a sharp rise in demand for its animatronic "Monster Wolf" deterrents after a record number of fatal bear attacks. In 2025‑26, bears killed 13 people and more than 50,000 sightings were reported nationwide, with incidents reaching homes, schools and supermarkets. The company received around 50 orders in 2026—more than it typically sells in a full year—and told customers to expect a two‑to‑three‑month wait.

The robots, priced from about $4,000, feature flashing red LED eyes, loud growls and howls, and can broadcast over 50 sounds up to a kilometre away. They are used by farmers, golf‑course operators and construction workers to protect crops, livestock and outdoor work sites. President Yuji Ohta said, "We cannot make them fast enough... we are asking our customers to wait two to three months," and added that "awareness of bear safety and measures against wildlife damage improved."

The spike in attacks has been linked to warmer temperatures disrupting bear hibernation and food shortages after a record‑hot summer. The robot wolves represent a high‑tech, non‑lethal response to a growing public‑safety and agricultural challenge in Japan.