In the Hardi area of Mahsi Tehsil, Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, a pack of man-eater wolves has terrorized 25-30 villages over the last 45 days. The wolves have killed seven people, including six children and a woman, and injured over 25 others. This ongoing crisis has left more than 50,000 villagers in constant fear.
Four Wolves Trapped, Two Still at Large
On Thursday, the UP Forest Department managed to capture a fourth wolf, leaving two still on the loose. The department has deployed 250 staffers, including 150 forest officials, and is using thermal drone cameras to track the remaining wolves. Despite these efforts, the villagers remain deeply anxious. Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena, the UP Forest Minister, reassured the villagers, urging them to stay indoors and not venture out alone, especially after dark.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Bahraich Forest Department catches the wolf that killed 8 people in Bahraich.
(Video Source: Bahraich Forest Department) pic.twitter.com/qaGAkblyE4
— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024
A Wave of Fear After First Attack
The attacks began on July 17, 2024, when a one-year-old child from Sikandarpur village was killed by a wolf. Over the following weeks, more attacks were reported, with the wolves preying primarily on children. In each case, the wolves snatched their victims from their homes or nearby fields, leaving behind half-eaten bodies.
Kishan Kumar, the father of one of the victims, expressed the shock felt by the community, stating that while spotting wild animals near their village was common due to proximity to the Dudhwa Forest, they had never experienced such terror.
Wolves Turn to Human Flesh
According to Vineet Singh, the divisional forest officer (DFO) overseeing the operation to capture the wolves, these animals became man-eaters after developing a taste for human flesh. While wolves typically avoid human contact, floods in the area may have driven them to search for food in human habitats.
Living in Fear: Villagers Struggle to Stay Safe
The most recent attack occurred on August 26, when a wolf killed a seven-year-old boy, Ayansh, as he slept with his mother in their courtyard. Despite warnings from authorities to stay indoors and avoid going out alone, villagers say these measures are not always practical.
Many homes lack indoor toilets, forcing people to venture outside. Furthermore, the majority of villagers are daily wage laborers who depend on working in the fields for their livelihood. Kanhaiya Lal, a resident of Hardi, voiced his frustration, saying, “We are not safe anywhere.” Villagers like Pehalwan Yadav also questioned how they could survive without working, highlighting the dire situation many face.
Ongoing Operation and Hope for Resolution
The forest department continues its operation to capture the remaining wolves, but fear still grips the affected villages. As authorities work around the clock, villagers hope for a swift resolution to bring an end to the nightmare that has shattered their peaceful lives.
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