Fifth wolf from 'killer' pack captured in UP's Bahraich, one more at large

Launched on July 17, 'Operation Bhediya' aims to capture all the members of the pack that has been terrorising 50 villages in Bahraich district.

Another wolf, part of a pack which has allegedly killed several people, after being captured in Bahraich district. Photo | PTI

LUCKNOW: A team of forest officials trapped the fifth 'killer' wolf on Tuesday as part of 'Operation Bhediya', the campaign in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich to capture a pack of six wolves that have killed nine people including eight children and left over two dozen injured since mid-July.

Launched on July 17, 'Operation Bhediya' aims to capture all the members of the pack that has been terrorising 50 villages in Mahsi tehsil of Bahraich district. After capturing the fifth 'killer' wolf, forest department teams intensified the search for the last of the pack.

As per the forest department statement, the netted wolf, a female, was found in Sisaiya village. Bahraich Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ajeet Pratap Singh shared that although the operation to capture the wolves was not yet over, it had made significant progress.

“A search is still underway for the last 'killer' wolf. The operation was intensified yesterday (Monday). The final phase began at around 5.30 am and concluded successfully by 6.30 am. Unlike previous operations, we didn’t deploy drones to capture the wolf as the animals had started fleeing upon spotting them. However, drones were still used to monitor its possible escape routes. Now one more wolf, a lame one, of the menacing pack remains, and we have spotted its location as well. We are on high alert,” said the DFO, adding that the remaining wolf could be the leader of the pack. “Till it is caught, the problem might persist. It is hoped that it will also be caught soon," the officer said.

The fifth wolf was captured using the pugmark technique near Ghaghra river close to Harabanspur village.

According to the DFO, the search team had spotted footprints of the predator in the area on Monday night. However, since the operation could not be carried out at night, four forest department teams arrived in the morning and surrounded the location.

The wolf attempted to flee but was trapped in a net laid by the forest department. With the help of villagers, the forest workers managed to capture and cage the wolf, said the DFO.

The fourth wolf of the pack was captured on August 29. After that, the remaining wolves became cautious and had been evading the capture, said the officer.

"These wolves were dodging us repeatedly and had slipped from our team many times. This time we put more emphasis on using pugmarks instead of drones. These are very smart animals. On seeing the drone, they understood that our companions would be caught. But the use of drones was also necessary for rescue in such a large area," said Chief Forest Conservator Renu Singh.

She said that on Monday, the animal had taken away a goat from Nathuvapur village. "Pugmarks were also found there and in the evening, I personally reached the area with senior officials. The evidence made it certain that we are very close to them. Since it was night, the operation was not possible then,” she said adding that the wolf was caught in the morning.

On being asked if the captured female wolf was a man-eater, the officer did not rule out the possibility saying that when one wolf became a man-eater, the whole pack followed the practice. “However, the final conclusion will be made after observing its behaviour," she said.