Operation Bhediya | Wolves are coming: How UP's Bahraich turned into a killing field for man-eaters

In Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, a surge in wolf attacks has created a wave of fear and tragedy. A pack of wolves has been frequently visiting the villages, preying on small children, often attacking them as they sleep alongside their mothers in their homes. Since March, these vicious attacks have claimed the lives of nine people, including eight children, and left 20 others injured.

Striking third time in 24 hours in the latest case on Sunday, they killed a toddler and injured two in Bahraich. So far, four wolves have been caught and search for two more is underway.

Why is catching wolves a Herculean task in Bahraich?

The district officials and the forest department are having trouble catching the wolves as they was consistently changing their habitat and visiting a new area everytime. CM Yogi Adityanath has directed the forest minister to deploy more forest guards and trap teams in the affected areas. Since they come in packs, their identification is a difficult task, unlike tigers and leopards.

What is Operation Bhediya and how are officials and villagers trying to scare away wolves?

The Uttar Pradesh government launched Operation Bhediya to capture a pack of wolves in Mehsi tehsil in Bahraich district. The forest department has deployed cameras and drones to help 150 personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) patrolling the region. Over 30 teams from the revenue department and 25 teams from the forest department are actively working on the ground.

The traditional method of using elephant dung and urine to repel wolves has seen some success. Besides, firecrackers and bright lights are used to scare away wolves.

Villagers who are spending sleepless nights for months remain vigilant and arm themselves with sticks as they guard the area against wolf attacks.

Why Bahraich villages have become so vulnerable?

For decades, these wolves have been seen to be on prowl in the region. The recently swelling Ghahghara river surging jungles has disrupted their original habitat. When they move out of their habitat to look for food, they come closer to human settelements.

What's the history of wolf attacks in Uttar Pradesh?

Year 1997 saw the biggest-ever wolf attack in UP that led deaths of 42 children in Jaunpur. This was followed by a few incidents from Rae Bareli in 2000 and Gonda and Balrampur in 2003.

Bahraich, with Ghaghara river flowing on one side and forests on the other, has been a wolf habitat for centuries, but never saw any wof attack in last two decades.

Have Indian wolves been known to be man-eaters?

Wolves are known to be fearsome predators and are unlikely to attack humanbeings. When they stray into villages due to loss of habitat and food, they start preying in human settlements, attacking people. Studies say their cross breeding with local dogs have made them more comfortable with human neighbourhoods.

Will the UP government deploy shooters to kill wolves?

CM Yogi Adityanath has issued as the last resort a shoot-on-sight order against the wolves after attempts to capture two more has failed and number of deaths increased in Bahraich villages.

What does the law say about killing wild animals?

Chief wildlife warden of a state has the authority to permit hunting of such animals becoming dangerous to human life or disabled or diseased beyond recovery, under Section 11 (1) (a) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

What are the characteristics of Indian wolves?

Indian wolves have been known to act as scavengers, preying on dead livestocks. However, they are known to feed on livestock when natural prey is scarce. This causes human-wolf conflicts since human population density is high in the areas near their natural habitat. The animals also have a history of preying on children.

Why are wolves attacking children?

Kids being small in body size and hardly having strength to fight the predators are most vulnerable among human beings. Wolves easily grab them by neck and disappear in jungles. Despite the officials appealing to the people to stay indoors and lock doors, a family that lost its toddler recently couldn’t get doors installed in house due to poverty.