Spicy solution: East Japan Railway uses habanero spray to prevent wildlife-train collisions
YORII, Saitama -- Just before midnight on the JR Hachiko Line, railway workers set out on a wildlife-control operation aimed at preventing collisions
On a quiet night just before midnight on the JR Hachiko Line, railway workers in Yorii, Saitama, turned to an unusual method to deter wildlife from railway tracks. As the last train cleared the tracks, a small cart rolled along the rain-soaked rails, spraying a reddish repellent made from habanero chili peppers onto the grass alongside the line.
This operation, part of East Japan Railway Co.'s ongoing efforts to reduce wildlife collisions, involved six workers spreading the Habanero Shield repellent along a 2-kilometer stretch of track in the Ogawa and Yorii areas. The repellent, containing the pungent compound capsaicin from habanero peppers, is known to drive away animals that dislike its smell and irritating effects.
JR East began using this repellent along the Hachiko Line in fiscal 2024. Deer are attracted to railway tracks to lick the iron, and their paths often overlap with the tracks, leading to frequent collisions. While no serious accidents have been reported, collisions have caused minor delays. The repellent has proven effective, with fewer collisions in areas where it has been applied compared to untreated sections.
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