In a decisive operation that concluded a two-month-long hunt, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department shot dead a female wolf in Bahraich's Kaiserganj block on Saturday, marking the elimination of the final member from a four-wolf pack suspected of carrying out a series of fatal attacks.
The Final Operation
The female wolf was neutralized during an extensive search operation, bringing closure to a tense period that saw at least eight people killed and approximately thirty others injured across several villages. Ram Singh Yadav, Divisional Forest Officer of Bahraich, confirmed to media representatives that with this animal's death, all four wolves believed responsible for the recent incidents have now been eliminated.
"The female wolf was brought down during a search today. With this animal, all four wolves suspected in the recent incidents have now been eliminated," stated Yadav. The carcass has been sent for post-mortem examination while forest teams continue monitoring the area to prevent similar incidents.
Timeline of Terror
The wave of attacks began on September 9 with the killing of a child in Paragpurwa village, continuing through October and November. The most recent tragedy occurred on Thursday when a wolf allegedly dragged away a four-year-old girl.
"The child's body has still not been recovered," Yadav revealed, adding that search teams continue their efforts on the ground to locate the missing girl.
Massive Multi-Zone Operation
Forest officials described Saturday's operation as part of a coordinated, multi-zonal effort that deployed an impressive array of equipment including cage traps, thermal drones, camera traps, nets and other tracking devices. The department had initially preferred capturing the animals alive but resorted to lethal measures when containment proved impossible during the encounter.
"While the department preferred capture, the situation escalated during the encounter and shooters fired to neutralise the threat," explained a forest department official. The state government had authorized intensified action after repeated attacks triggered widespread fear across villages in the district.
During a September 27 visit to Bahraich, the Chief Minister had instructed the Forest Department to prioritize capturing any offending animal but authorized trained shooters to use lethal force if capture proved impossible, citing overriding public safety concerns.
Future Prevention Measures
The Forest Department has committed to publishing the post-mortem report following veterinary examination and will brief district authorities on comprehensive steps to prevent future human-wildlife conflicts. These measures include strengthened community awareness programs and movement restrictions during high-risk hours.
Authorities have also advised villagers to immediately report any wildlife sightings to the nearest forest or police outpost, emphasizing the importance of prompt reporting in preventing future tragedies.
