Surge in Wolf Attacks in Uttar Pradesh Sparks Debate: Are Wolves Truly Aggressive?

After a sudden surge in wolf’ attacks in Uttar Pradesh was noticed, the question that popped up was whether the wolf is an aggressive animal. People in general want to know under what circumstances wolves attack humans and what can be done to prevent such attacks.

Wolves Attack Humans

According to the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, eight fatal attacks were reported in Europe and Russia, three in North America, and more than 200 in South Asia in the half-century up to 2002. The institute also found later that 498 attacks on humans occurred worldwide for the years 2002 to 2020. As many as 25 people died, including 14 attributed to rabies.

Wolves Avoid Humans

Wolf biologist L. David Mech concluded in 1998 that wolves generally avoid humans because of fear instilled by hunting. He also noted that humans' upright posture is unlike wolves' other prey, and similar to some postures of bears, which wolves usually avoid.

Why Wolves Attack Humans

Generally, wolves don’t attack humans. They get motivated by fear or anger and the need to escape from or drive the victim away. It can be understood by an example. A sheep-hunting wolf can get disturbed by a shepherd who is defending his flock, a captive wolf may attack an abusive handler, and a mother wolf is most likely to attack a hiker who had wandered near her pups. It has also been found attacking a wolf hunter in active pursuit; or he can attack a wildlife photographer, park visitor, or field biologist. The biologists have also said that such attacks may be dangerous, but they are limited to quick bites.

Wolves In Himalayan Foot Hills

According to the International Wolf Centre, about 400 to 1,100 wolves live in the foothills of the Himalayas. The total number of wolves in the Indian subcontinent is about 4,000 to 6,000. According to a report published in San Francisco-based ‘Live Journal’ in 1996-97, 33 children were killed by wolves while 20 others were seriously injured. Ten wolves were also killed in the man-animal conflict. The wolves targeted more than 600 persons in 1878, considered the worst year in this regard.

Attacks In Baharaich

According to wildlife historian Mahesh Rangrajan, normally, wolves don’t attack humans as they are not their normal prey. They normally hunt goats and sheep. Expressing concerns at the developments in Baharaich, Rangarajan said it should be studied why they have hunted humans now.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ajeet Pratap Singh also said that wolves are not typically known for attacking humans. They have coexisted with humans for centuries. He also said that once a wolf tastes human flesh, particularly that of a child, it may develop a preference for it. The children become soft targets also because of their vulnerability.

Order To Kill Wolves

In the latest development, the Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh has issued an order to kill a wolf if it is seen anywhere. In an order issued on behalf of the chief forest conservator, it has been said that wolves have killed eight people in eight districts of the state. Earlier, he ordered to tranqualise the wolves, but it did not work.