Bahraich: With drones and new specialized team, UP administration sets 10-day target to catch 'killer' wolves

Addressing a press conference here today, UP Minister Sanjay Nishad appealed to the people to not sleep outdoors for their safety.

"A new team of experts specialising in catching man-eater animals has been called in. The number of members of the shooting team has been doubled. We have set a target of 10 days to catch the wolves. Three wolves were seen in drone cameras but there could be more in number. The CM is monitoring this issue. It takes time to capture a clever animal like a wolf," he said.

Uttar Pradesh Forest Minister Arun Saxena informed that along with normal drones, thermal ones are also being deployed in the region.

"CM Yogi Adityanath is worried about the situation here and keeps taking stock of the situation. We are advising people to sleep indoors, shut their doors and not venture out alone at night. Women and children need to be protected. The CM has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each to the family of the deceased in the wolf attack. Most people have received the financial assistance. Thermal drones also deployed along with normal drones," he said.

The Forest Department, along with the Police have started awareness campaigns in about 25 to 30 villages of Mahsi Tehsil under the Bahraich Range of Bahraich Forest Division to inform people of the ongoing situation and advise them on how to stay safe from further attacks.

According to an official statement by the Bahraich Forest Division on September 3, three teams have been formed for the awareness campaign, which will work to make the general public aware using various publicity mediums.

The division has also set up a command centre at the divisional headquarters for the exchange of information.

General Manager of the Forest Department, Sanjay Pathak, said that drones are also being used in the search operation.

"We are tracking them (wolves). No untoward incident has been reported. Drones are also being used in the search operation," he said.

According to the officials, Tuesday night passed without any reported incidents of wolf attacks, as the search operation to capture the remaining wolves continued without any positive result.

According to District Forrest Officer (DFO) Bahraich Ajit Pratap Singh, a multi-pronged approach is being employed to capture the wolf. Specifically, thermal drones are being deployed to track the wolf's movements, while also relying on identifying pugmarks and gathering intelligence from residents.

The DFO further explained that despite efforts, the thermal drones were unable to locate the wolf. He emphasised that visual confirmation from villagers is crucial, but typically, reports come in after evening, when the drone's camera capabilities are hindered. The infrared camera's limitations in low light conditions make it difficult to distinguish between a wolf, jackal, or dog.

The residents of Kulaila village carried out patrolling with sticks to guard themselves given the wolf attacks.

Meanwhile, the total number of people who have sustained injuries in the alleged wolf attacks in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh has risen to 34, a doctor at the Community Health Centre in Mahasi said on Tuesday.

Speaking to ANI, the Superintendent of the Mahasi Community Health Centre, Dr Ashish Verma said, "We have a list of a total of 34 persons who were injured in animal attacks. All have been treated while two of them were referred to the District Hospital in Bahraich. We had inquired about their situation, and both of them are stable."

The Uttar Pradesh Police and the Forest Department are continuing their search for two wolves under 'Operation Bhediya' in Bahraich district. The forest department had earlier caught four wolves. The pack of wolves is said to be behind several attacks on villagers in the region.

Earlier, a three-year-old girl was killed and two other women were injured in another wolf attack, spreading anger among the locals, who blamed the administration for showing negligence in their work. (ANI)