Why Are Wolves in bahraich Turning to Attacking Humans?

In the Mahsi tehsil of bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, a pack of wolves has attacked 10 people, including nine children, in the past 50 days. This alarming behavior raises questions about why these wolves have turned into a threat to human safety.

A global study conducted by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research from 2002 to 2020 found that while the risk of wolf attacks is not zero, it is very low, with only 26 fatal attacks reported worldwide during this period—four of which occurred in India. So what has led to the recent aggressive behavior of the bahraich wolves?

One prevalent theory is the revenge hypothesis. According to Sanjay Pathak, an IFS officer and former director of Dudhwa National Park, wolves are intelligent and social animals that have long lived in close proximity to humans. They often rely on human habitats for food, preying on domestic animals or scavenging carcasses. Pathak suggests that the wolves of bahraich may have turned to attacking humans as a form of retaliation. He cites past incidents in Uttar Pradesh—one in 1996 in Pratapgarh and another in 2003 in Balrampur—where wolves attacked children following human encroachments or provocations, such as farmers burning wolf pups.

In addition to revenge, some foresters believe habitat loss and a taste for human flesh could be driving the wolves' behavior. While wolves generally do not target humans, attacks can occur if a wolf accidentally preys on a child. Once a wolf has tasted human flesh, particularly that of a child, it might develop a preference for it. Children are seen as easier prey due to their vulnerability and softer flesh, which could encourage the wolf to continue targeting humans, according to Ajeet Pratap Singh, the divisional forest officer heading 'Operation Bhediya' to capture the rogue wolves.

In Uttar Pradesh, there are fewer than 100 wolves, and nationwide, their population is under 3,000, with the highest concentrations in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. Wolves are classified as a Schedule 1 species under India’s Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, providing them with the highest level of legal protection.
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Balasahana Suresh

03/09/2024 04:25 PM