According to media reports, over 35 villages in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich are on high alert after a pack of wolves killed at least seven children and a woman in the past one-and-a-half months.
- The district forest department launched “Operation Bhediya” to capture the pack of wolves responsible for these attacks. So far, four wolves have been caught, and officials have indicated that two are still at large, with efforts underway to capture them as well.
About Indian Gray Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)
- There are two subspecies of Canis lupus (Gray Wolf) found in India. One of the wolves which are spread across peninsular India is the Indian Gray Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), and the other which is found in the Upper Trans- Himalayan range is the Himalayan wolf or Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco).
- An endangered species on IUCN’s Red List, Indian Gray Wolf’s population is estimated between 2000 and 3000 individuals.
- Placed under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is accorded the highest level of protection in an effort to protect its numbers.
- Indian Gray Wolf, regionally known as Bheriya, Hundar, Nekral (in Hindi)/ Landga (in Marathi, Bhagad (Kutchhi), Tholla (in Kannada); are widely distributed in the parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
- They occupy human-dominated spaces, which makes them the most vulnerable species.
- Wolves are known for their speed and can run up to 45 km/hour. Being a natural predators; they tend to prey mainly on rodents, hares, and livestock.
- Being a monogamous species, they develop a very strong bond with their unit. They have been known to sacrifice their lives for their pack.
- Hierarchy matters when it comes to wolves. The dominant male will be the first one to feed on the prey, followed by other pack members.
