Thu Dec 18 23:48:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article.
Summary:
The article details a series of alleged wolf attacks in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, India, bordering Nepal. Since September, 11 people, mostly young children and elderly individuals, have been killed and over 30 injured. Villagers describe terrifying incidents of children being dragged away, sometimes in broad daylight. Forest Department officials have launched “Operation Bhediya” to capture or eliminate the responsible animals, even issuing “shoot at sight” orders after a decree from the Chief Minister. Despite these efforts, the attacks continue. The situation is exacerbated by poverty, lack of infrastructure (doors, toilets), and the reliance of villagers on daily wage labor, making constant child supervision difficult. While officials are taking steps to capture and eliminate the animals, experts suggest potential causes of the attacks may stem from habitat loss, prey scarcity, or even misidentification of the animals responsible. Some experts also point to societal factors like poverty and neglect. Locals live in fear, with families taking drastic measures like sending children away or sleeping under police protection. The incident has sparked debates on endangered species’ rights, and calls for comprehensive surveys and habitat studies of the region to reduce human-animal conflict.
News Article:
Uttar Pradesh Villages Terrorized by Alleged Wolf Attacks, Sparking Urgent Response
Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh – December 19, 2025 – A wave of terror has gripped villages in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, India, following a series of deadly attacks attributed to wolves. Since September, eleven people, including nine children and two elderly individuals, have been killed, and over 30 have been injured in the district, which shares its border with Nepal. The attacks have instilled fear among villagers, many of whom live in poverty and struggle to protect themselves and their families.
“The wolf dragged him away to the sugarcane fields and bit off both his arms,” said Priyanka, the mother of four-year-old Star, one of the victims.
The Forest Department has launched “Operation Bhediya,” aimed at capturing or eliminating the animals responsible. The operation has involved setting camera traps, employing drones, and even issuing “shoot at sight” orders following an intervention from the Chief Minister. Six wolves have been killed this year.
“We can sense a behavioural change in the wolves who have become smarter, fearless, and more cautious,” said District Forest Officer (DFO) R.S. Yadav.
However, these efforts have so far failed to stem the attacks. The Forest Department has requested the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct a “seeing survey” and “habitat study” of the area to better understand and mitigate the conflict.
Experts suggest several factors may be contributing to the crisis. Habitat loss, prey scarcity, or even misidentification of the animals are possible. Some experts also point to societal factors such as poverty and lack of supervision of children as contributing factors.
“Studies done in past also found that many areas where wolf attacks took place had more vulnerable children than domestic livestock or wild prey,” said Satish Kumar, Chairperson and Professor of the Department of Wildlife Science at Aligarh Muslim University.
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced compensation of ₹5 lakh (approximately $6,000 USD) for each death and ₹50,000 (approximately $600 USD) for each injury caused by the attacks. In the meantime, villagers live in constant fear, taking measures such as keeping children indoors and relying on police patrols for protection. The crisis has raised concerns about the delicate balance between human and wildlife populations and the need for comprehensive solutions to prevent future tragedies.
First Piper 