A four-year-old male wolf was shot dead by forest department officials in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, following a fatal attack on a three-year-old boy. This lethal encounter marks the seventh wolf killed by authorities in the region within just three months, amid a terrifying spike in attacks on children.
Late-Night Operation Ends Wolf Threat
According to officials, the wolf was tracked and neutralised during a late-night operation on Monday. The animal had fled into open fields after the attack. It is believed to be the same wolf that mauled three-year-old Anshu to death in Rasoolpur village, which falls under the Fakharpur police station limits.
Forest teams reported that the young child was attacked while playing near his house. This tragic incident triggered immediate panic and anger among the local villagers. As the news spread rapidly, terrified residents locked themselves indoors, while many families rushed their children to safer locations.
A District Living in Fear
The latest killing has deepened the existing anxiety in villages already on edge due to repeated wolf sightings and attacks. Officials stated that the specific wolf was located using a combination of tracking inputs and drone surveillance. It was finally shot during an encounter in the area of Bergu Purwa Reti to prevent any further loss of human life.
The carcass has been sent for post-mortem to confirm its age and identity. Senior officials have openly admitted that the situation in Bahraich district remains grave. In response, they have intensified several measures including:
- Round-the-clock patrolling in vulnerable zones.
- Setting up cage traps to capture problematic animals.
- Enhanced night surveillance using modern technology.
Escalating Conflict and Official Appeal
The statistics reveal a alarming crisis. In the span of three months, forest department teams have killed seven wolves. During the same period, wolf attacks have resulted in the deaths of twelve children and left another twelve injured.
Authorities have made a public appeal for calm amidst the rising tension. They are urgently urging villagers to avoid venturing out alone after dusk. These efforts are part of a broader attempt to curb the escalating human-wildlife conflict that has put rural communities in constant fear.
The forest department's action, while aimed at ensuring public safety, underscores the difficult balance between protecting human life and managing wildlife. The continued patrolling and surveillance indicate that the threat is far from over, and the community remains under high alert.
