In Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, villagers have been forced to take drastic measures to protect themselves from a pack of wolves that has been terrorizing their communities. For weeks, they have been using firecrackers and lights to ward off the wolves, whose howls from nearby forests have disrupted their nights and threatened their safety.
The situation escalated after the wolves were linked to the deaths of nine people, mostly children, over the past 40 days. In response, the forest department and local police have joined forces to combat the menace. Firecrackers are now being set off every hour in multiple villages to deter the predators, according to divisional forest officer Ajeet Pratap Singh.
So far, four of the six wolves believed to be responsible for the attacks have been captured, but two remain at large, evading all traps. To enhance their efforts, the forest department has also deployed drones to track the elusive animals.
Public awareness campaigns have been launched in the 50 villages near the Ghaghra River, where loudspeakers urge residents to remain vigilant throughout the night. These initiatives will continue for at least two months, aiming to ensure the area is cleared of the dangerous wolves.
The forest department emphasizes that wolves, unlike lions and leopards, have a tendency to retaliate against human encroachment on their territory, particularly when their habitat is disturbed or their cubs are threatened. This adds an extra layer of danger to the ongoing efforts to capture the remaining wolves.
