Bahraich wolf strikes again: 5-year-old injured, fear grows in UP
What's the story
Fear of wolf attacks persists in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, following multiple incidents within 24 hours. Late Monday night, a five-year-old girl was injured by a wolf in the Mahasi area. This comes just a day after a two-year-old girl was killed, and two women were injured in three separate attacks in the same region. Reports of suspected animal attacks have also emerged from the neighboring Sitapur district.
Escalating threat
Rising wolf attacks trigger 'Operation Bhediya'
Since July, a pack of wolves in Mahasi Tehsil has become increasingly aggressive, leading to the launch of "Operation Bhediya" by the Uttar Pradesh government. The operation aims to capture these wolves using thermal imaging drones. However, due to their constant movement, forest officials have resorted to using colorful dolls soaked in children's urine as bait. These dolls are placed near riverbanks and dens frequented by the wolves.
Tactical measures
Innovative strategies employed to capture wolves
Divisional Forest Officer Ajit Pratap Singh explained the strategy behind using urine-soaked dolls. "Our strategy is to mislead them and lure them away from residential areas toward traps or cages placed near their dens," he said. "Since these animals have primarily been targeting children, we have introduced large teddy dolls dressed in colorful clothes, soaked in children's urine, to create a false sense of human presence near the traps," Singh added.
Community response
Wolf attacks disrupt normal life in Mahasi
The wolf attacks have disrupted normal life in Mahasi, with over 25,000 residents across 35 villages living in fear. Villagers have formed teams to patrol their communities with sticks and firearms. Authorities are using loudspeakers mounted on vehicles to advise residents to stay indoors and lock their doors at night. The forest department and district administration have sought permission from the state government to eliminate the man-eating wolves using shooters and tranquilizers.
Public outcry
Villagers express frustration over response to wolf attacks
Some villagers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the response to the wolf attacks. Balke Ram, a neighbor of one of the victims, reported that a wolf was spotted near their houses multiple times. When they informed forest department officials, they were asked for video proof, he alleged. "We were awake when we spotted something near our house and...chased it away... Then we got to know that Anjali was missing," he said.