Wolf or animal attacks? A howling mystery in Bahraich district leave residents on edge

LUCKNOW: A 17-year-old girl, identified as Priti of a village under Hardi police station in Bahraich, was injured in an animal attack, on Sunday.

On inspection, Priti was found to have sustained a minor scratch near her left ankle. Forest officials said no wolf tracks or signs of attack were found in the vicinity.

Priti was treated at the Mahsi community health centre by Dr Ashish Verma, CHC, Mahsi, who said it could not be concluded whether the scratch was caused by an animal or a sharp object.

"The incident may not have been caused by a wolf," he said. Villagers, however, claimed animal attacks had not stopped in the district.

Two days back, in two separate incidents, three individuals were injured in animal attacks in Jadavpur village under the Mahsi tehsil but forest department claimed these attacks were caused by dogs and not wolves.

The injured individuals included a 14-year-old boy named Sangam Lal, a 65-year-old man Kriparam and his 4-year-old grandson Satyam, who were discharged after treatment at the community health centre in Mahsi.

The district has been facing a series of wolf attacks over the past few months that have so far claimed lives of nine, including eight children, while injuring more than 20 people.

DFO, Bahraich, Ajeet Pratap Singh, said on Sunday that sector officers resumed operations using four more thermal drones to locate the aggressive wolf. "Camera traps were also set up at sensitive locations to track the wolf's movements. Patrolling teams are combing through floodplain areas on foot to search for signs of the wolf. The command centre at the divisional level is receiving information and issuing directives to teams operating in Sector," he said.

The DFO said awareness programmes were being conducted with district administration teams and joint police and forest department patrols were continuing in the villages. The authorities are urging all villagers to remain vigilant, especially with their children and to keep their doors locked at night for safety.

"To raise awareness and protect residents from further wolf attacks, banners have been put up in the villages affected. The forest department, police and district administration are working together, conducting night patrols in the affected areas. As a result, no untoward incidents involving the wolf occurred during the night," said the DFO.