Wolf caught after attacks kill 9 people in India's Uttar Pradesh in 45 days. What is 'Operation Bhediya?'

Lucknow, UP

A wolf thought to be behind at least eight killings of people in India's Uttar Pradesh has been caught, said authorities in the northern state on Thursday (Aug 29). It was captured after at least nine people were killed in alleged wolf attacks in the past 45 days in the Bahraich district. Earlier reports attributed the killing to a lone wolf, but recent sightings suggested that a pack of wolves may be involved in the attacks.

Those who were mauled to death include six children and a woman. At least 30 others were injured in different villages of Mehasi tehsil in the district

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh forest department said it had caught the presence of two wolves through late-night infrared drone imagery.

"Our drones have captured the movement near the village. We have alerted our people in the village... We have spotted two wolves in our drone nearly 100 metres away from our location. We went to the spot and noticed footsteps and hence it was confirmed that two wolves have passed from here," said forest officer Ajeet Pratap Singh, as quoted by ANI news agency.

Watch: Walking with wolves in Southern Spain

'Operation Bhediya' launched

The government agencies and local residents are looking for the wolves in an operation codenamed 'Operation Bhediya'. Bhediya is the Hindi word for wolf.

A government statement said three wolves have been captured, though it is not clear how many are in the area.

"We have deployed 16 teams to capture the wolves, and 12 district-level officers are also stationed here. Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator Renu Singh will remain on-site until the remaining wolves are captured," said Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) Sanjay Srivastava.

Also read: Wolves in Ukraine's Chernobyl area developing resilience to cancer: Report

Wielding a gun, the local MLA from Mehasi Sureshwar Singh said "...This is my fundamental right. Wolf is taking away the children and villagers are scared. If their MLA, MP, District administration stand by them, it will increase their confidence...when people are confident, the society will be confident."

Also read: Watch | Tourists walk in the woods with wolves through Spanish mountains

Forest official 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," he said while speaking to ANI.

The district administration has provided an ex-gratia payment of 500,000 each to the kin of four who were killed by wolves, said the government statement, adding other victims' kin would also be paid.

(With inputs from agencies)