As ‘Operation Bhediya’ continues in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, officials said on Sunday that they have detected the presence of two wolves through drones and will capture them by today or tomorrow.
Abhishek Singh, CO Forest, Bahraich Division told ANI, “Our whole team is going to be here in the guidance of DFO. We detected the presence of wolves through drones. Both wolves have been traced in this area. We will capture it by today or tomorrow.”
The wolves have killed eight people in the area. So far four have been caught and search for two more is underway.
Earlier on Saturday, the forest department team laid traps at Sisayya Chudaamani village from where the fourth wolf was captured on Thursday.
Seven children and a woman have been killed in wolf attacks in Bahraich in the past two months.
Earlier Divisional Forest Officer from Barabanki, Akashdeep Badhawan, also said the pack of wolves was under constant surveillance, and one wolf was caught on Thursday.
“We have traced three wolves that were regularly under our surveillance with the help of direct, and indirect sighting, pad marks, as well as using IR drones. When we located one of them, we localised the area. It was later tranquillized with the help of vets present with us,” he said.
In the wake of recent wolf attack incidents, the forest department is bursting firecrackers at night to protect the villagers from wolves.
Speaking on the wolf attacks, Circle Officer of Mahasi, Rupendra Gaur, said, “Drones, nets and cages are being used to catch the wolves. We are continuously trying to catch the wolves…We are ensuring that no untoward incident takes place anywhere. Eight people have lost their lives and 15 others are injured.”
Giving details about the incident earlier, MLA Sureshwar Singh said, “Wolf scare began in Bahraich district and its Mahasi Assembly constituency from 17th July 2024. Since then 8 deaths have been reported and 20 people have been injured. Work is underway to catch those wolves…Electricity is being ensured in identified areas where there is no power supply…We are also setting up doors at houses where incidents have occurred…I am carrying a rifle to boost the morale of the people.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department deployed an infrared (IR) drone in which the presence of two wolves was noticed in Bahraich.