Operation Bhediya: How UP govt captured the man-eater wolf that killed 7 children in Bahraich

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

wolf involved in attacks that killed at least eight people, including seven children and a woman, in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district has been captured. The wolf, part of a pack of six, has been taken to a zoo following a successful operation by forest officials.

Wolf Attacks in Bahraich

Over the past two months, Bahraich has faced a series of deadly wolf attacks. The latest incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, involved the killing of an infant. The attacks have resulted in significant concern and prompted immediate action from local authorities.

Operation Bhediya

In response to the attacks, the Uttar Pradesh government launched 'Operation Bhediya' to capture the wolves in Mehsi tehsil. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was actively overseeing the operation. The Forest Department deployed 16 teams equipped with drone cameras and thermal mapping technology to locate and capture the wolves.

The operation involved using firecrackers to guide the wolf to a specific location where it was tranquillized and subsequently transported to a zoo. Officials also employed techniques such as burning elephant dung to simulate the presence of elephants and deter the wolves from approaching populated areas. Additionally, traps with bait were set up in remote locations.

Measures to Ensure Safety

District Magistrate Monika Rani reported that measures are being taken to enhance safety in affected areas. This includes installing doors in houses that lack them and conducting night patrols across villages. ASHA workers have been