In some areas of Japan, bears are approaching human settlements, especially in mountainous or rural areas, and drone technology is being used to keep them away.
The local government in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, has launched a drone pilot project due to increasing reports of bear sightings. Experts say that the bears’ natural food supply in the forests is decreasing and the population is thin, which is why they are approaching humans.
The drones are equipped with speakers that play the sound of hunting dogs. This sound scares the bears and helps them flee back to the forests. Some drones are also equipped with fireworks or explosive devices to further scare the bears and make them retreat.
These drones are used for rapid response measures, especially in places where there are signs of bears staying or picking fruit.
Gifu prefecture officials say they plan to expand the pilot project to other areas if it proves effective. The technology provides a non-lethal, technological solution to protect millions of people, especially those living in mountainous villages.
