Wolves, which are known to be nocturnal, are giving sleepless nights to people of Uttar Pradesh since March. A pack of six man-eating wolves have forayed in 35 villages of Mahasi tehsil in UP’s Bahraich district, targetting residents, mostly children.
Wolf attacks, between July 17 and September 2, have claimed the lives of nine people, including eight children (below the age of 8 years), and left 20 others injured. Now these attacks by the canine have been reported merely 125 km from Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow.
4 in 2 still out
According to the forest department, four man-eating wolves have been captured under ‘Operation Bhediya,’ while two still are at large and extensive searches are being carried out.
Wolf attacks in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich
The latest wolf attack in Uttar Pradesh was reported in the wee hours of Monday (September 2) when a girl, around two-and-a-half years, was mauled by a wolf who entered her house in Nauvan Harethi village of Mahsi subdivision when she was sleeping next to her mother. Her body was found around 1 km away from the house around two hours later.
Barely three hours after this incident, the second attack was reported in Kotia village where a wolf attacked a 70-year-old woman who was sleeping in her veranda. Her screams alerted her family members but by the time they reached, the carnivore had already inflicted severe injuries. The elderly lady is in a critical condition.
There was another attack on Monday, barely half-an-hour after the second incident when a 65-year-old woman was attacked and injured by a wolf.
On Monday night, a five-year-old girl was injured in a wolf attack. She was rushed to CHC Mahasi for treatment.
But authorities are facing trouble in catching the wolf as it has been consistently changing its habitat, Bahraich district magistrate Monika Rani said. She further explained that the animal is targeting a new village every time.
Drones are being flown continuously to spot the two wolves who have been still at large.
Vehicles with loudspeakers mounted on them have been carrying out rounds asking residents to stay indoors and keeping their children inside. People are being asked to lock their doors at night.
Amid this, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued shoot-at-sight orders as the last resort amid the growing menace of wolf attacks in Bahraich.
‘Endangered’ wolves keeping Uttar Pradesh on alert
Let’s now understand about ’endangered’ wolves of India.
1 – The variety of wolves found in India are Indian Peninsular Wolf and the Himalayan Wolf. However, the species of the man-eating wolves in Bahraich is yet to be known.
2 – Indian wolves are said to be nocturnal and they are believed to be hunting from dusk to dawn, using various types of strategies to hunt different prey.
3 – The wolves in India are believed to have exceptional speed and endurance.
4 – As per a 2022 estimate, India has 3,100 remaining Indian peninsular wolves, or the canis lupus pallipes.
5 – In India, wolves have been classified as endangered under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
6 – Indian wolves feed on livestock when natural prey is scarce. They also have been known for preying on children.
7 – Wolves are territorial animals and their habitats are often around rivers as they are provided with a source of prey as well as water. But when these rivers are flooded, these animals are forced to leave their territories in search of food.
With inputs from agencies.
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‘Grabbed my child by the neck’: How a pack of man-eating wolves is spreading terror in UP
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Urine-soaked teddy, bursting firecrackers: How UP’s Bahraich is trying to hunt down man-eating wolves
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