Nine People Died As A Result Of A Wolf Attack, Indian Authorities Deploy Drones

Illustration of drones. (Unsplash/Jason Mavromatis)

JAKARTA - Indian forest guard authorities deployed drones to track wolves after nine people, the majority of children were killed, allegedly as a result of the animal attack in recent weeks, Sunday officials said.

The latest victim was a 10-month-old baby girl who was snatched by a wolf in Bahrach District, North Uttar Pradesh State while sleeping next to her mother on Saturday, officials.

The baby was later found dead in a field, as reported by Al Arabiya from AFP (1/12).

The day before, a five-year-old boy was snatched in front of his mother's eyes from outside their home.

The baby, who was found being eaten in a sugar cane field, died on his way to the hospital.

Officials said the attack followed the same pattern seen in a number of villages that reported similar incidents since September.

The latest deaths increased the number of casualties as a result of the alleged wolf attack in Bahrach to at least nine in three months, according to police, forestry officials, and media reports.

Apart from children, there are also elderly couples among the victims of the wolf attack.

Forestry Officer Ram Singh Yadav told AFP authorities had deployed drones, camera traps and shooters in the area.

"Women's behavior seems to have changed. Lately, they seem to be active during the day, which is strange," said Yayav.

Meanwhile, other forestry officers said the animals looked extraordinarily brave.

Meanwhile, villagers in Bahraich say they are now living in incredible fear of wolves hiding near their homes.

"Our children are not safe even in the house," said one resident.

"We just want this attack to be stopped," he said.

Bahraich experienced a wave of similar attacks last year, with a herd of wolves killing at least nine people and injuring several others.

The highlands in Bahraich District are located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the border with Nepal, where dense forests cover the foot of the Himalayan hill.

Experts say wolves attack humans or livestock is only the last option when they are starving. Usually, they prefer less dangerous prey such as small anenvelopes.

The majority of the approximately 3,000 wolves in India survive outside protected areas, often in close proximity to humans.

The animal, also known as a plateau wolf and listed as a vulnerable animal, is smaller than a more powerful Himalayan wolf and can be misinterpreted as another species such as a wolf.