Japan is relying on a 'Monster Wolf' to scare away wild predators from populated areas

In Japan, to deter natural predators, an alternative to the haunting howls of real wolves has been found in the 'Monster Wolf', a robot to deter natural predators from populated areas in a safe way.

Its mechanical neck swings a bit, akin to a living creature glimpsing its territory. A nice blend of technology and tradition, it is designed to terrify potential pests.

A report in ABC News states that the Monster Wolf bears lifelike proportions and glowing red eyes to confront wildlife intrusions into human domains, in a way that a 21st-century scarecrow would do.

Why does Japan need a Monster Wolf— and so many of them?

Japan's natural predators are dwindling as their habitats become the site of human habitation. Animals such as deer, wild boars and bears enter territories where humans live.

Deer and boars eat the agricultural produce. Besides, the encounters between monkeys and humans are often dangerous.

"It has been a success," Yuji Ohta of Tokyo-headquartered technology company Ohta Seiki was quoted as saying by ABC News.

"To date, no one has questioned its effectiveness, nor have we faced any returns due to dissatisfaction."

According to Ohta, theMonster Wolves can deter wild animals near golf courses, highway entrances, and railroad crossings.

"I think it's much more cost-effective to threaten with a machine and drive it away from the village than the cost of a lot of people going out and exterminating it," Ohta was further quoted as saying.

The robot in wolf's clothing has also attracted international attention. ABC News reports that there have beeninquiries from around ten countries.

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But it will be a long time before a Monster Wolf could emerge as a solution to wildlife's complementary encroachments into human territories worldwide.

"While the global interest is encouraging, the Monster Wolf requires specific on-site installations," Ohta told ABC News. "At present, we are not set up for international deployments."