A massive search operation is underway in Bahraich district, with over a dozen forest department team comprising of more than 200 forest officials to capture a pack of wolves that have been wreaking havoc.
State Minister for forests with independent charge Arun Kumar Saxena and Sanjay Srivastava, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), are campaigning in the affected area with a team of experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) also visited the region of impact to study the pattern of the wolf attacks. The WII team is directed to do a detailed study helping people survive the man-animal conflict in the longer run.
The predator, which killed over seven people mostly kids and attacked 34 did not attack on Tuesday night.
“We have launched a multi-pronged approach to capture the wolf. Thermal drones are being deployed to track the wolf’s movements, various forest department teams are identifying pugmarks and gathering intelligence from residents. Four wolves have already been trapped and only two are creating disturbance,” said Ajit Pratap Singh, a forest official.
The DFO further explained that despite efforts, the thermal drones were unable to locate the wolf. He emphasised that visual confirmation from villagers is crucial, but typically, reports come in after evening, when the drone’s camera capabilities are hindered. The infrared camera’s limitations in low light conditions make it difficult to distinguish between a wolf, jackal, or dog. The DFO also questioned the initial assumption that only two wolves were present. He suggested that there might be a possibility of a third wolf, stating that it’s conceivable that there could be three wolves instead of just two. To address this, the team has escalated its efforts, deploying four thermal drones to catch the wolves.
Two additional principal chief conservators of forests, Sanjay Pathak and Girish, are stationed in Bahraich to monitor the situation along with four divisional forest officers.
Bahraich wolf attack
Widespread panic has gripped Bahraich district due to the presence of wolves, prompting a swift response from the forest department team, who arrived in the village upon receiving reports of the wolf’s presence.
Mahsi MLA Sureshvar Singh also visited Barah Bigha village to assess the situation. According to the MLA, one wolf was sighted in Barah Bigha village of Kotiya Gram Panchayat. The MLA further claimed that there are likely three wolves in total who are currently evading officials. He explained that the hunting pattern suggests the presence of three wolves, with one wolf conducting reconnaissance before two others venture out to hunt.
Meanwhile, the total number of people who have sustained injuries in the alleged wolf attacks in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh has risen to 34, a doctor at the Community Health Centre in Mahasi said on Tuesday.
Speaking to ANI, the Superintendent of the Mahasi Community Health Centre, Dr. Ashish Verma said, “We have a list of a total of 34 persons who were injured in animal attacks. All have been treated while two of them were referred to the District Hospital in Bahraich. We had inquired about their situation, and both of them are stable.”
The Uttar Pradesh Police and the Forest Department had earlier caught four wolves under ‘Operation Bhediya’ in Bahraich district. The pack of wolves is said to be behind several attacks on villagers in the region.
(with inputs from ANI)
Published - September 04, 2024 01:11 pm IST
