Man-Animal Conflict: Scientists Hail Indian Wolf As Ancient Species, UP Villagers Fear The Predator

Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 16:53 IST

The latest spate of wolf attacks in Majhara Tokli alone has claimed six lives, mostly children, and left over two dozen injured in just a month.

Unlike the tiger, which roams across 11 countries, the Indian wolf’s range is almost entirely restricted to India.

Though the Indian wolf has been hailed by scientists as one of the most ancient lineages on Earth — with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) proposing its recognition as a distinct species deserving greater protection — in eastern Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, the same predator has turned into a symbol of terror. In the sugarcane fields of Majhara Tokli and nearby villages, Bahraich wolves have been on a killing spree, leaving villagers fearful and forest officials sleepless as they struggle to trap the elusive man-eaters.

Over the past year, more than a dozen people have been killed and several others injured in wolf attacks across Bahraich and neighbouring districts. The latest spate in Majhara Tokli alone has claimed six lives, mostly children, and left over two dozen injured in just a month —forcing people to live in fear and trauma.

An Ancient Lineage Recognised

On Monday, for the first time, the IUCN evaluated the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) separately, suggesting it may be classified as a distinct species within the Canis genus — a move that could elevate its global conservation priority. According to the IUCN’s global panel of canid experts, the Indian wolf population is estimated to be around 3,093 (2,877–3,310) across India and Pakistan, placing it in the “Vulnerable" category on the Red List. The experts said that the species represents one of the world’s most ancient wolf lineages — having evolved in the subcontinent long before humans arrived.

Unlike the tiger, which roams across 11 countries, the Indian wolf’s range is almost entirely restricted to India, with Pakistan hosting only about 10 to 20 individuals. “While tiger numbers are stabilising, the Indian wolf population continues to decline since it lives largely outside protected areas and is exposed to anthropogenic disturbances and threats," said Bilal Habib, senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

The IUCN report adds that only 12.4 per cent of the Indian wolf’s distribution falls within protected areas in India and Pakistan — meaning most of its population survives in farmlands and scrublands, directly exposed to human activity. “Given current trends, threats are anticipated to persist and intensify in the coming decade," the assessment warns.

The Fear in Bahraich

That warning is already reality in Bahraich, where a cluster of villages in Kaisarganj tehsil have been gripped by terror since early September. On September 9, the first attack was reported in Majhara Tokli village, followed by a series of incidents that have left a trail of blood and panic.

“Wolves dragged away my nephew while he was playing outside the house at dusk," said Shabnam, a resident of the village, her voice trembling. “We found his body in the fields the next morning. Since then, no one lets their children step out after evening," he added.

Another villager, Pyarelal said, “Initially we thought it was some stray dog. But when the forest team showed us pictures from the drone, we realised it was a wolf pack. Now we stay up all night guarding the cattle and children."

According to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ram Singh Yadav, since September 9, six people have died and over 25 others have been injured in the Majhara Tokli area alone. “We have been conducting continuous search and rescue operations. One wolf was shot dead on September 28, another was injured, and two more are still missing," Yadav said.

Operation ‘Bhediya’

On Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s order, the forest department has launched a massive operation involving 30 teams, including four drone squads equipped with thermal sensors, and over 40 cameras placed across sugarcane fields and forest edges.

“Our first priority is always to capture the animal alive," said DFO Yadav. “Only if it poses an immediate threat to human life do we consider shooting as a last resort." He added that forest officials are working with local representatives and residents to ensure safety. “We hold village meetings daily, advising families to keep children indoors during dawn and dusk hours and avoid isolated fields," he said.

The operation intensified on Sunday morning when a wolf, believed to be part of the attacking pack, was shot and later found dead in Rohitpurwa village. Its carcass has been sent for post-mortem examination.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Rashid Jameel said the wolf was injured when it tried to flee from a trap. “Our shooters opened fire after it turned aggressive. We are continuing to track the remaining two wolves through drones and local informers," he said.

A Recurring Problem

The problem isn’t new for Bahraich. Official records show that between October 2023 and October 2024, wolves were responsible for at least 14 human deaths and over 40 injuries in the district. Unofficial figures put the toll even higher, as many incidents go unreported in remote rural belts.

Wildlife experts point out that sugarcane fields provide ideal cover for wolves, whose prey base — mainly hares, rodents, and stray dogs — has dwindled due to human expansion. As a result, they increasingly venture into villages, especially during lean agricultural months.

“In the last one year, forest teams have captured or killed six wolves identified as man-eaters," a senior forest official said. “But new packs keep emerging because the region shares its boundary with the Shrawasti and Balrampur districts, which have similar terrain."

The Latest Attack: Panic in Majhara Tokli

On the morning of September 27, nine-year-old Sonu Kumar had stepped out to pluck guavas from a tree near his house in Rohitpurwa village, when a wolf lurking nearby pounced on him. His cries drew neighbours, but the animal had already inflicted fatal injuries before vanishing into the sugarcane fields.

“We heard him scream and ran towards the fields, but the wolf disappeared like a shadow," recalled Rajkumari Devi, Sonu’s grandmother, holding his school bag close. “Now, no one lets their children step out after sunset. Even adults avoid walking alone."

Forest teams later found the carcass of a wolf believed to have been injured in an earlier operation. The body was sent for post-mortem to confirm whether it was one of the attackers.

Grey Wolf

Commonly known as Canis lupus pallipes, the genus Canis currently has seven recognised species — the grey wolf, coyote, golden jackal, Ethiopian wolf, domestic dog, red wolf, and African wolf. With the Indian wolf’s recognition, it could become the eighth species in the genus.

Yet, as the IUCN notes, this ancient predator’s survival depends on coexisting with humans. Most Indian wolves live outside protected zones — in landscapes shared with farmers, herders, and children walking to school.

Conservation and Conflict

However for the angry villagers, it is more about their children’s safety than conservation of the animal. “We just want our children safe," said Munna Yadav, whose 9-year-old son narrowly escaped an attack last week. “Day and night, we hear howls from the fields. Even the dogs don’t bark anymore."

DFO Yadav said the department is balancing conservation priorities with immediate public safety. “The Indian wolf is a vital part of our ecosystem," he said. “But when it turns into a man-eater, our responsibility is to protect human life first. We will continue efforts to rescue or neutralise the wolves while coordinating with wildlife experts for long-term mitigation."

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