Bahraich Wolf Attack: UP Forest Officials Using Urine-Soaked Dolls To Capture Wolves

Despite using human urine-soaked dolls as lures, the wolves remain elusive. Experts criticise the tactic, highlighting wolf intelligence and the need for understanding their territorial nature.

Police personnel interact with locals during 'Operation Bhediya' at an area in the Bahraich district.

Source : PTI

The UP government has intensified "Operation Bhediya," deploying over 300 foresters, sharpshooters, sector-based strategies, and drones to capture the wolves after the animal resulted in fatalities of 10 people and injuring several in the Mahsi tehsil of Bahraich.

In order to catch the wolves, the state forest department has come up with a unique technique. The forestors are now using human urine-soaked dolls near riverbanks to lure the man-eating wolves.

However, the novel technique has failed to bring any positive results. The operation was launched in 25 villages across Bahraich's Mahsi tehsil, leaving over 50,000 residents living in fear, according to a report in News18.

“We placed the dolls strategically near the riverbanks, close to the wolves’ resting places and dens,” Ajit Pratap Singh, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Bahraich, who is part of ‘Operation Bhediya’ reportedly said.

“The dolls were soaked in children’s urine to simulate a natural human scent. Our strategy was to create a false sense of human presence near the traps and lure them away from residential areas towards traps or cages placed near their dens,” he further said.

Some foresters criticised the move when the wolves did not fall into the trap, and they called it “futile”. “Wolves are highly intelligent animals with advanced cognitive abilities, particularly in social contexts,” said one of the senior foresters.

“Compared to dogs and humans, wolves are caring, playful, and devoted to their families. They educate their young, care for the injured, and live in tight-knit groups. In intelligence tests, wolves have even outperformed dogs, making it easy for them to sense a trap, even when dolls are soaked in human urine,” he added.

Experts argue that driving the wolves away will not work, as they remain strictly within their territories. Dhananjay Mohan, head of the Uttarakhand Forest Department, explained that wolves will not leave their territory to avoid aggression from rival packs.

Bilal Habib, a scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India, added that wolves often stay near grasslands and agricultural fields, where food and water are readily available. “Wolves in the United States or Canada stay in the wild since the forests are huge. Hence, fewer or no territorial issues arise with other carnivores. Indian Wolves move to the wild only for breeding. For the rest of the time, they choose grasslands in a bid to get easy prey and water,” Habib said, News18 reported.

Villager Cites Reason For Delay In Catching Of Wolves

The constant change in the wolves' attack locations is the main reason for the delay in capturing them. On the night of August 21, a wolf attacked Mahsi's Barah Bigha village, first attempting to seize a child but failing. It then attacked a woman, severely injuring her. A few hours later, the wolf successfully took a girl from another part of the village.

Similar incidents occurred in Makka Purva, Nakwa, Kulela, Pura Hind Singh, and Basti Gadaria villages, where children were targeted. The wolf moved between villages, avoiding capture after each attack.

Locals have expressed frustration over the ineffective hunting hours in the ongoing campaign. "The wolves are being hunted mainly during the day, but they attack at night," said a villager.

Wolves are spotted daily, with residents capturing videos and sending them to the forest department and police. "Many from our village have done the same," he added. The villager mentioned that on August 3, a wolf was seen in Asmanpur, and two were spotted in the Hindu Purva village at night.

 In response, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed a shoot-on-sight directive for the wolves. Although the forest department has captured four man-eating wolves in the past six months, the continued delay in capturing the remaining wolves has left villagers living in fear. Many mothers sleep with sticks by their side, and villagers guard their homes in groups each night to protect against predators.