Overview
- FamilyMart installed the wolf-shaped deterrent at its Hino-ya Kurohone store in Kiryu, Gunma, and opened the demonstration to the press on Wednesday to begin a trial running through mid-January 2027.
- The 1.2-meter 'Monster Wolf' uses infrared sensors to detect animals, flashes LED lights, and plays about 50 prerecorded sounds at random — including dog barks and human shouts — to scare off wildlife.
- Operators have cut the device’s volume to less than half during the trial to reduce disturbance for nearby residents while measuring its real-world effectiveness.
- The trial complements other company precautions: FamilyMart has already distributed bear-repellent spray to roughly 800 stores and participates in drills and coordination with local authorities.
- Local officials reported seven bear sightings in the Kurohone area since April, and if the device proves effective it could lead retailers to adopt more non-lethal, technology-led deterrents at rural and mountain-adjacent stores.