Two young children were injured in separate wolf attacks in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district on Wednesday evening, marking a worrying continuation of human-wildlife conflict in the region. The incidents, which occurred in different villages, have prompted forest officials to launch intensive search operations using drones.
Details of the Two Attacks
In the first incident, a two-year-old girl named Aanchal, daughter of Pawan Kumar, was attacked in the Gullahin Purwa hamlet of Godahiya No. 2 gram panchayat. The attack took place around 7:30 pm while the child was sitting in her courtyard with her mother Mamta and grandmother Malti, warming themselves near a bonfire.
According to reports, a wolf suddenly pounced on the toddler. Showing immense courage, the women immediately fought off the animal by beating it with sticks, forcing it to flee into nearby sugarcane fields. The injured girl was rushed to the Kaiserganj Community Health Centre (CHC), where her condition is reported to be critical.
In a separate incident in Danawal village of the Kaiserganj area, a five-year-old boy, Yash Kumar, son of Vijay Kumar, was also attacked. He was sitting near a bonfire outside his house when a wolf attacked him. Fortunately, the boy escaped serious injury as he was wearing a sweater and a jacket, which likely provided some protection. Family members raised an alarm, scaring the animal away into the sugarcane fields. Yash Kumar received treatment at the community health centre and is stated to be in stable condition.
Escalating Crisis and Official Response
The Wednesday attacks are part of a disturbing trend in Bahraich. Officials confirmed that this incident marked the 40th injury caused by wolf attacks in the district over the past three months. The toll is even more severe, with at least 12 people killed and 40 injured in wolf attacks within this three-month span.
In response to the escalating threat, forest department teams have initiated a major search operation. They are employing drone technology to track the movement of wolves in the area. To date, forest officials have neutralised six wolves in their efforts to control the situation and ensure public safety.
A Growing Pattern of Conflict
The repeated attacks highlight the increasing conflict between humans and wildlife in the region, often linked to habitat encroachment and resource scarcity. The use of sugarcane fields as cover by the attacking animals points to the challenges of agriculture bordering forest areas. The forest department's ongoing efforts, including the elimination of specific problem animals, underscore the seriousness with which authorities are treating this public safety issue. The community remains on high alert as operations continue.
