Wolves Claim Nine Lives in Uttar Pradesh, Sparking Alarm

In a tragic series of incidents in northern India, nine people, including several children, have been killed by wolves in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh. The most recent attack occurred on Saturday, when a 10-month-old girl was abducted by a wolf while sleeping beside her mother. Her body was later discovered in a nearby field. The previous day, a five-year-old boy was also taken from outside his home and found mortally injured in a sugarcane field.

Authorities report a disturbing pattern in these attacks, which have increased since September. The toll of confirmed wolf-related fatalities in Bahraich has now reached at least nine in just three months. Among the victims were an elderly couple, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these predatory behaviors.

Ram Singh Yadav, a forest officer, emphasized the urgent response by local authorities, stating that drones, camera traps, and shooters have been deployed in the area. “The behavior of wolves seems to have changed. Of late, they are seen active in daytime, which is strange,” Yadav noted. Other officials have observed that wolves appear unusually bold, raising concerns among local residents.

This wave of attacks is reminiscent of a similar incident last year, when a pack of wolves killed at least nine people, including very young children. During that time, officials advised residents against sleeping outdoors or wandering alone at night. Unfortunately, many homes in the region lack doors, and some families do not have indoor toilets, forcing them to venture out at night.

Bahraich district is located approximately 30 miles south of the Nepal border, where the Himalayan foothills are covered in dense forests. Experts believe that wolves typically only attack humans or livestock as a last resort when food is scarce. They prefer less dangerous prey, such as small antelopes.

Despite an estimated 3,000 wolves in India, the majority live outside protected areas, often in close proximity to human populations. Known as the plains wolf, these animals are classified as vulnerable and can be mistaken for jackals due to their smaller size compared to the more powerful Himalayan wolf.

Residents in Bahraich express deep fear, with one villager stating, “Our children are not safe even inside the house. We just want the attacks to stop.” While attacks from larger animals, such as tigers and elephants, are not uncommon in India, wolf attacks remain rare. Between 2018 and 2022, over 300 people were killed by tiger attacks in the country, illustrating the unique nature of these recent incidents.

Experts attribute the increase in human-animal encounters to urban expansion into wilderness areas, which reduces the natural habitats and hunting grounds of many species. The situation in Bahraich underscores the need for urgent measures to protect both local communities and wildlife.

Arshad R. Zargar contributed to this report.