Farmers in Japan have been experiencing a problem. Wild boars have taken to stealing rice and chestnut crops. Electric fences have not been very successful in keeping the boars out. What could the farmers do?

They found a solution through an amazing invention. Meet the Super Monster Wolf.

Even though the Japanese wolf was hunted to extinction nearly 300 years ago, it seems that today’s wild animals still have the instinct to run when they hear the sound of a wolf. The Super Monster Wolf is, in fact, a robot that looks like a wolf. It’s 65 cm long and 50 cm tall. It is covered with animal fur, has huge white teeth and flashing red eyes.

Sensors in the solar-battery-powered beast detect when an animal is approaching. The Super Monster Wolf instantly let’s off a wolf howl that would terrify the biggest animal. The developers were concerned that if only one sound was emitted over a period of time, animals could get used to it and ignore it. So, the robotic wolf has a selection of 48 different noises which include dog barks, human screams and gun shots.

Each robot has an effective range of about one kilometre. They have become so popular, they are now going into mass production. At the moment, the robots are unable to move. However, they have pistons in their legs which allow them to move from side to side – just to make their presence even more scary.

If you think you need a Super Monster Wolf, they will soon be available to buy for HK$39,000. If that is too much to scare any wild boar and bears away, the robots are also effective at scaring other animals including civet cats and deer.

Question:

See the Super Monster Wolf in action:

VOCABULARY