The Japanese have developed a crop-saving robotic wolf to scare off wild boars

Japan is home to almost one million wild boars. These animals are known to gorge themselves on rice, chestnuts, and potatoes, which has brought them into conflict with farmers. But they can only do so much to protect their crops and themselves from the near-fearless beasts. Fortunately, help is on the way, and it comes in the form of the world’s most intimidating scarecrow.

The “Super Monster Wolf” is exactly what it sounds like: A 25-inch-long and 20-inch-tall animatronic wolf garbed in realistic fur and wearing a permanent snarl. Equipped with an infrared sensor, the Super Monster Wolf is capable of detecting wild boars from a sizable distance. When that happens, the large, red eyes flare to life and it begins to produce any of its terrifying sounds to scare off animals. According to its manufacturers, Ohta Seiko Co., Ltd., the Super Robot Wolf can emit a wide range of different noise (including human screams and even a gunshot) to ensure that wild boars don’t become acclimated to the racket. Another noteworthy feature is that the wolf runs on solar-rechargeable batteries.