India is grappling with a series of suspected wolf attacks in the Bahraich region of Uttar Pradesh, where 10 people—nine children and one adult—have been killed in recent months. Authorities believe a pack of wolves is responsible, though only one wolf remains at large after drones and traps captured five. However, experts are cautious, as the evidence implicating wolves is inconclusive, and other canids like jackals or feral dogs might be involved.
While some media reports speculate wolves are seeking “revenge” for harm done to their pups, wildlife biologists refute this claim, noting wolves don’t behave that way. Instead, they suggest these attacks could be due to wolves or other canids losing their fear of humans, particularly in impoverished areas where human interaction with wildlife is frequent.
The attacks began in March, targeting young children sleeping outdoors, and have continued sporadically since then. Although wolves rarely prey on humans, hunger and proximity to people can drive such behavior. Yet, uncertainty remains about whether the attackers are wolves, hybrids, or feral dogs. DNA or other clear evidence is still needed to confirm the culprit.
Experts caution against sensationalizing these incidents, pointing out that other animals like tigers, leopards, and even vehicles cause more deaths than wolves. However, the fear stirred by animal attacks tends to overshadow more routine dangers.