Since March, wolves have claimed the lives of eight people in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, seven of whom were children. Over 36 people, including women, children, and the elderly, have been injured. The entire district and its surroundings are gripped with fear of wolves. The majority of the attacks occurred on July 17.
Gyan Prakash Singh, a former wildlife officer of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division in Bahraich, has stated that wolves have a high tendency for revenge compared to other predatory animals. Speaking from experience, he explained that humans are the cause behind these continuous wolf attacks. In some way or another, humans must have harmed the wolves, either by destroying their habitat or harming their cubs. The wolves are now taking revenge.
Read More:
Source: aajtak
Humans killed wolf cubs, now they are retaliating
Currently an advisor to the Wildlife Trust of India, Singh also recounted an incident from 25 years ago in Jaunpur and Pratapgarh. Back then, wolves killed over 50 children along the banks of the Sai River. Investigations revealed that children had killed two wolf cubs. In retaliation, the parents of those cubs began attacking human children.
During that time, the forest department launched a mission to capture the man-eating wolves. Some wolves were caught, but the two enraged attackers escaped. A large-scale search operation ensued, eventually leading to their identification and subsequent shooting. A similar pattern emerged in Bahraich between January and February when two wolf cubs were crushed under the wheels of a tractor.
Read More:
Source: aajtak
Releasing captured wolves into Chakiah forest 40 km away was a mistake...
Some wolves captured in Bahraich were released into Chakiah forest, approximately 40 kilometers away. This was a mistake, as Chakiah forest is not a natural habitat for wolves. They might have returned to Bahraich for revengeful attacks.
Regarding the four captured wolves, Singh mentioned that it's not guaranteed all man-eating wolves have been caught. Even if one remains at large, attacks will continue. Moreover, it’s not certain that all captured wolves are man-eaters.
Read More:
Source: aajtak
Officials say man-eating wolves have not been caught yet
Bahraich’s DFO Ajit Pratap Singh noted that even tigers and leopards do not have a propensity for revenge, unlike wolves. If their habitat or families are threatened, particularly by humans, wolves retaliate. They also take revenge when harmed by other animals.
Shashi Bhushan Lal, Divisional Commissioner of Devipatan, mentioned that the man-eating wolves are still at large. Their attacks continue, and the final resort might be to shoot them. The Devipatan division includes Gonda, Balrampur, Bahraich, and Shravasti.
