Drone-sprayed bear repellent undergoes testing in northeastern Japan city

KITAAKITA, Akita -- A nonprofit organization in northeastern Japan is testing a drone-sprayed bear repellent in Odate city as part of an experiment set to conclude around the time bears hibernate. The repellent, developed by the Center of Historical Materials for Science (Kemusa), uses wood vinegar collected from charcoal production.

On October 2, over 40 students from a nearby special needs school and others witnessed the repellent being sprayed from an agricultural drone over an apple orchard. Kemusa's chairperson, Kazuhiro Sato, stated that combining repellent spraying with other bear countermeasures may enhance effectiveness. The wood vinegar creates a scent that bears dislike.

In 2021, a local residents group revived Akita's traditional white charcoal kiln, producing the wood vinegar. The repellent, filtered and mixed with water and capsaicin, will be tested over 300 meters to assess its efficacy. The test site was chosen due to recent bear sightings near homes and crops in Kitaakita. The prefectural government has also implemented measures like clearing forests and installing electric fences.