Wolves on the Loose: Indian Village in Grip of Terror as Nine People, Mostly Children, Killed in Attacks
Nine people, mostly children, have been brutally killed by wolves in a cluster of villages in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state over the past few weeks. The most recent victim was a 10-month-old girl who was snatched from her mother's arms while sleeping outside their home in Bahraich district on Saturday.
The latest deaths bring the total number of suspected wolf attacks in Bahraich to at least nine in just three months, with several others injured. The victims also include an elderly couple and a five-year-old boy who was found mauled in a sugarcane field yesterday.
Forest officials have deployed drones, camera traps, and shooters to track the wolves, which are said to be increasingly active during the day. "The behavior of wolves seems to have changed," said Forest Officer Ram Singh Yadav. "They are seen active in daytime, which is strange."
Experts say that wolves attack humans or livestock only as a last resort when they are starving, preferring less dangerous prey such as small antelopes. However, the majority of India's 3,000 wolves survive outside protected areas, often in close proximity to people.
Villagers in Bahraich live in mortal fear of the wolves lurking near their homes. "Our children are not safe even inside the house," said a resident. "We just want the attacks to stop."
While attacks by big cats and elephants are not rare in India, wolf attacks are unusual. More than 300 people were killed in tiger attacks between 2018 and 2022. Experts say that the expansion of towns and villages into wilderness areas is a major factor behind the increasing people-animal encounters.
The wolf attacks have raised concerns about public safety in Bahraich district. The village has seen similar attacks before, with a pack of wolves killing at least nine people last year. Authorities have warned people against sleeping out in the open or moving around at night alone, but some houses lack doors and indoor toilets, making it difficult for residents to stay safe.
The Indian government must take immediate action to address the issue, said villagers. "We need help," said a resident. "Our children are not safe. We just want the attacks to stop."
Nine people, mostly children, have been brutally killed by wolves in a cluster of villages in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state over the past few weeks. The most recent victim was a 10-month-old girl who was snatched from her mother's arms while sleeping outside their home in Bahraich district on Saturday.
The latest deaths bring the total number of suspected wolf attacks in Bahraich to at least nine in just three months, with several others injured. The victims also include an elderly couple and a five-year-old boy who was found mauled in a sugarcane field yesterday.
Forest officials have deployed drones, camera traps, and shooters to track the wolves, which are said to be increasingly active during the day. "The behavior of wolves seems to have changed," said Forest Officer Ram Singh Yadav. "They are seen active in daytime, which is strange."
Experts say that wolves attack humans or livestock only as a last resort when they are starving, preferring less dangerous prey such as small antelopes. However, the majority of India's 3,000 wolves survive outside protected areas, often in close proximity to people.
Villagers in Bahraich live in mortal fear of the wolves lurking near their homes. "Our children are not safe even inside the house," said a resident. "We just want the attacks to stop."
While attacks by big cats and elephants are not rare in India, wolf attacks are unusual. More than 300 people were killed in tiger attacks between 2018 and 2022. Experts say that the expansion of towns and villages into wilderness areas is a major factor behind the increasing people-animal encounters.
The wolf attacks have raised concerns about public safety in Bahraich district. The village has seen similar attacks before, with a pack of wolves killing at least nine people last year. Authorities have warned people against sleeping out in the open or moving around at night alone, but some houses lack doors and indoor toilets, making it difficult for residents to stay safe.
The Indian government must take immediate action to address the issue, said villagers. "We need help," said a resident. "Our children are not safe. We just want the attacks to stop."