Please Never again have shoot on sight orders for wolves in India
The Issue
In 2024 and 2025, tragic incidents unfolded in the serene outskirts of a village in India where fatal attacks claimed the lives of 19 individuals, mostly children. In the wake of these heartbreaking events, without conclusive evidence, wolves were hastily blamed and a shoot on sight policy was implemented. Shockingly, at least 9 wolves were slaughtered by conservation officers acting under directives steeped in historical colonial concepts from England.
Operation Behdiya was a euphemism for dog culling, a cruel practice illegal in India that causes children post traumatic stress disorder. Shooting wolves on sight, especially at night, could easily kill furry family members. Human deaths only stopped in 2026 when canid culling stopped and was replaced with the Bahraich Model, a humane non lethal Coexistence strategy of habitat protection, attractant removal, housing for unhoused people, and public humane education.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge recognizes that wolf attacks are rare and we need to change our own behaviour to prevent them. TEK does not promote killing. The real problem is attractants like garbage, farmed animals, and direct feeding. Feeding animals does not protect children or farmed animals. It causes animals to be used to humans. The other problems are dogs mating with wolves to create feral wolf dogs, habitat loss and poorly designed structures that animals can enter. Killing solves none of these. What is needed is spay neuter of dogs, vaccines for dogs and wolf dogs, safe housing, and proper waste management. Wolves who are human habituated can be retrained using hazing techniques. It turns out all that was needed was to protect wolf habitat and add proper housing and bathrooms for humans. There was no need to kill wolves. The last and 9th wolf killed was shot when he or she escaped a net during a live capture attempt. This wolf was targeted because they were in the area. Live capture and relocation to captive living spaces worked in early 2024 because the mindset of the conservation officers were peaceful; no killing, following Ahimsa. But once rifles and an “if it can't be caught it can be shot" policy came in late 2024, the mindset was no longer peaceful. Wolves were chased into nets and towards tranquilizers with yelling, chasing, and fireworks, terrorizing the poor wolves whose only instinct was to escape. At every escape attempt, the wolves were shot, usually in the leg or stomach to preserve brain tissue for cruel rabies tests.
There have been no fresh wolf attacks reported recently in 2026. The region has returned to normalcy following long-term mitigation measures implemented by the government, which included installing doors on vulnerable village homes, deploying solar night lighting, and establishing community night patrols. Killing was never the answer. Beauty Without Cruelty condemned the killing and doubted wolves were involved.
The amount of wolves killed is about 9, possible revenge for the 10+ children who died. The laws are out of date and colonial. Wolves are not properly protected.
These decisions resonate uneasily with the principle of Ahimsa, or non-violence, cherished deeply in Indian philosophy.
Experts say the wolves captured or killed in Operation Behdiya were likely not involved in the deaths of innocent children. These children were killed while sleeping outside and found later, suggesting any animal might have killed them. There is considerable doubt wolves were involved.
During the 2024 and 2025 wolf attacks in Uttar Pradesh, India, a combined total of at least 4 to 6 wolves were killed or died during government and local interventions.
Of course, killing wolves didn't solve the problem of homelessness. Young children and seniors with no proper shelter are at risk from all sorts of danger. Killing wolves solves nothing. Closing playgrounds near sunset could work.
In 2024 the policy was non lethal. (Bahraich District - Operation Bhediya): Out of a pack of six wolves blamed for 10 deaths, 1 wolf was beaten to death by villagers.
(Note: 5 other wolves from this pack were captured by the forest department, though one died of stress during capture).
In 2025 people got fed up. And switched to a cruel shoot on sight policy. (Operation Bhediya 2.0 / Subsequent Uttar Pradesh Attacks): During fresh wolf attacks in late 2025, officials reported that 3 wolves out of an identified pack of six had been shot and killed by authorities on sight under government orders. There was considerable doubt that these attacks were by wolves. The shooter goes by first name only, because his job is controversial.
The poor wolves were cruelly shot, one in the leg, one in the stomach, and the gut shot wolf was paraded and displayed as a trophy. It was claimed that tranquilizing was attempted as well as other live capture, but failed. One would presume a wolf so habituated to humans would be easy to catch, and so a wolf who evades live capture was probably not involved in attacks. This shooting was a cruel act and showed no dignity. Gut and stomach shooting is common for preservation of brain tissue for decapitation and rabies testing. "In UP's Bahraich, a wolf was killed in an encounter by a forest department shooter. After being shot in the stomach, the wolf walked about 10 steps, then stumbled and fell.". While they allegedly tried to live capture the wolf for 8 hours, the poor wolf had their leg broken and were then gut shot at 4am, eliciting cheers from the public. It is astonishing how cruel people can be. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/bahraich-new-wolf-attacks-4-children-mauled-16-injured-cm-yogi-adityanath-meet-families-10274564/
Operation Bhediya 2.0 is an extension of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department's wildlife-human conflict mitigation campaign in the Bahraich district (near the Nepal border and the Ghaghara River floodplains), India.
Background & Context
Initial Crisis (Operation Bhediya - 2024): A pack of wolves allegedly terrorized villages in Bahraich's Mahasi Tehsil, resulting in at least 10 to 11 fatalities (mostly children) and over 30 to 35 injuries. Monsoon flooding and habitat fragmentation forced the animals into human settlements. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Operation Bhediya 2.0: Launched subsequently by authorities following continued or renewed wolf-related threats in the region, building upon the initial phases. [1]
Key Strategies & Methods
Surveillance & Tracking: Deployment of thermal drones, camera traps, and specialized sector-based monitoring teams. [1, 2, 3]
Deterrents & Traps: Use of custom decoys (such as child-scented doll/teddy bear traps), elephant dung and urine for scent diversion, and night-time firecrackers. [1, 2]
Authorizations: Implementation of enhanced enforcement measures, including shoot-at-sight orders and tranquilization protocols by forest and police personnel. [1, 2]
Casualties/Results: The broader campaigns resulted in multiple wolves captured or neutralized, while wildlife biologists and conservationists continue to study landscape changes and prey shortages contributing to the conflict. [1, 2]
While wolf attacks were presumed, vital DNA testing was not carried out. Meanwhile, evidence suggests that these may have been dog attacks—which notably do not qualify for government compensation schemes as wolf attacks do. This skewed policy not only perpetuates injustice for the victims' families who don't receive aid, but also for the wildlife unjustly blamed and killed. The same happened in 1996, and nothing has changed in 30 years.
The crux of the issue lies in the misuse of historical practices, like the shoot on sight orders from colonial times, which contradict our current understanding of biodiversity and the need for compassionate actions grounded in modern science. Instantaneous culling, based merely on baseless fears and assumptions, erodes the faith in equitable and humane wildlife management practices.
It's crucial that India moves beyond outdated methods and adopts modern, scientific approaches — like DNA testing — before jumping to conclusions. Wildlife management should prioritize ethical practices informed by current science, ensuring that we don't revert to unjust practices that undermine our cultural and spiritual values.
We implore the authorities to establish stringent guidelines ensuring factual investigation into wildlife and animal attacks before imposing lethal measures. Such reforms will protect both human lives and wildlife, fostering a safer and more compassionate coexistence within our communities.
‘Operation Bhediya’ in UP, shoot-at-sight orders given for man-eating wolf as death toll rises to 10 https://share.google/eiydMrfhQzt3tsBoc
Sign this petition to enforce policies that are grounded in evidence, prevent hasty and unjust actions against wildlife, and uphold the essence of Ahimsa in addressing future conflicts.
During the waves of suspected wolf attacks in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, India, at least 19 people—including 17 children—were reported killed across separate phases in 2024 and 2025.
The fatalities are broken down by each wave of conflict below:
1. The 2024 Attack Wave (March – September 2024)
Total Deaths: 10 people
Child Fatalities: 9 children (along with one woman)
Context: A pack of six wolves allegedly targeted villagers sleeping in open-air setups or doorless homes. The government launched "Operation Bhediya," live capturing five wolves, while local villagers killed the sixth to end the initial crisis.
2. The 2025 Attack Wave (September – December 2025)
Total Deaths: 9 people
Child Fatalities: 8 children (along with an elderly man or couple depending on the report)
Context: Attacks resumed abruptly in late 2025. High-profile incidents during this stretch included a 10-month-old girl and a 5-year-old boy snatched directly from their homes, promptings authorities to deploy drones, camera traps, and robots to manage the threat.
Why Children Were Targeted
Wildlife experts and the International Wolf Center point to a mix of environmental pressures and local vulnerability. Severe monsoon flooding altered natural habitats and depleted the wolves' wild prey, driving them into human settlements. Due to impoverished conditions—such as lack of secure housing, outdoor sleeping habits, and open defecation—unattended young children unfortunately became highly vulnerable targets for the starving predators. (Most likely unhoused dogs).
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The Issue
In 2024 and 2025, tragic incidents unfolded in the serene outskirts of a village in India where fatal attacks claimed the lives of 19 individuals, mostly children. In the wake of these heartbreaking events, without conclusive evidence, wolves were hastily blamed and a shoot on sight policy was implemented. Shockingly, at least 9 wolves were slaughtered by conservation officers acting under directives steeped in historical colonial concepts from England.
Operation Behdiya was a euphemism for dog culling, a cruel practice illegal in India that causes children post traumatic stress disorder. Shooting wolves on sight, especially at night, could easily kill furry family members. Human deaths only stopped in 2026 when canid culling stopped and was replaced with the Bahraich Model, a humane non lethal Coexistence strategy of habitat protection, attractant removal, housing for unhoused people, and public humane education.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge recognizes that wolf attacks are rare and we need to change our own behaviour to prevent them. TEK does not promote killing. The real problem is attractants like garbage, farmed animals, and direct feeding. Feeding animals does not protect children or farmed animals. It causes animals to be used to humans. The other problems are dogs mating with wolves to create feral wolf dogs, habitat loss and poorly designed structures that animals can enter. Killing solves none of these. What is needed is spay neuter of dogs, vaccines for dogs and wolf dogs, safe housing, and proper waste management. Wolves who are human habituated can be retrained using hazing techniques. It turns out all that was needed was to protect wolf habitat and add proper housing and bathrooms for humans. There was no need to kill wolves. The last and 9th wolf killed was shot when he or she escaped a net during a live capture attempt. This wolf was targeted because they were in the area. Live capture and relocation to captive living spaces worked in early 2024 because the mindset of the conservation officers were peaceful; no killing, following Ahimsa. But once rifles and an “if it can't be caught it can be shot" policy came in late 2024, the mindset was no longer peaceful. Wolves were chased into nets and towards tranquilizers with yelling, chasing, and fireworks, terrorizing the poor wolves whose only instinct was to escape. At every escape attempt, the wolves were shot, usually in the leg or stomach to preserve brain tissue for cruel rabies tests.
There have been no fresh wolf attacks reported recently in 2026. The region has returned to normalcy following long-term mitigation measures implemented by the government, which included installing doors on vulnerable village homes, deploying solar night lighting, and establishing community night patrols. Killing was never the answer. Beauty Without Cruelty condemned the killing and doubted wolves were involved.
The amount of wolves killed is about 9, possible revenge for the 10+ children who died. The laws are out of date and colonial. Wolves are not properly protected.
These decisions resonate uneasily with the principle of Ahimsa, or non-violence, cherished deeply in Indian philosophy.
Experts say the wolves captured or killed in Operation Behdiya were likely not involved in the deaths of innocent children. These children were killed while sleeping outside and found later, suggesting any animal might have killed them. There is considerable doubt wolves were involved.
During the 2024 and 2025 wolf attacks in Uttar Pradesh, India, a combined total of at least 4 to 6 wolves were killed or died during government and local interventions.
Of course, killing wolves didn't solve the problem of homelessness. Young children and seniors with no proper shelter are at risk from all sorts of danger. Killing wolves solves nothing. Closing playgrounds near sunset could work.
In 2024 the policy was non lethal. (Bahraich District - Operation Bhediya): Out of a pack of six wolves blamed for 10 deaths, 1 wolf was beaten to death by villagers.
(Note: 5 other wolves from this pack were captured by the forest department, though one died of stress during capture).
In 2025 people got fed up. And switched to a cruel shoot on sight policy. (Operation Bhediya 2.0 / Subsequent Uttar Pradesh Attacks): During fresh wolf attacks in late 2025, officials reported that 3 wolves out of an identified pack of six had been shot and killed by authorities on sight under government orders. There was considerable doubt that these attacks were by wolves. The shooter goes by first name only, because his job is controversial.
The poor wolves were cruelly shot, one in the leg, one in the stomach, and the gut shot wolf was paraded and displayed as a trophy. It was claimed that tranquilizing was attempted as well as other live capture, but failed. One would presume a wolf so habituated to humans would be easy to catch, and so a wolf who evades live capture was probably not involved in attacks. This shooting was a cruel act and showed no dignity. Gut and stomach shooting is common for preservation of brain tissue for decapitation and rabies testing. "In UP's Bahraich, a wolf was killed in an encounter by a forest department shooter. After being shot in the stomach, the wolf walked about 10 steps, then stumbled and fell.". While they allegedly tried to live capture the wolf for 8 hours, the poor wolf had their leg broken and were then gut shot at 4am, eliciting cheers from the public. It is astonishing how cruel people can be. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/bahraich-new-wolf-attacks-4-children-mauled-16-injured-cm-yogi-adityanath-meet-families-10274564/
Operation Bhediya 2.0 is an extension of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department's wildlife-human conflict mitigation campaign in the Bahraich district (near the Nepal border and the Ghaghara River floodplains), India.
Background & Context
Initial Crisis (Operation Bhediya - 2024): A pack of wolves allegedly terrorized villages in Bahraich's Mahasi Tehsil, resulting in at least 10 to 11 fatalities (mostly children) and over 30 to 35 injuries. Monsoon flooding and habitat fragmentation forced the animals into human settlements. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Operation Bhediya 2.0: Launched subsequently by authorities following continued or renewed wolf-related threats in the region, building upon the initial phases. [1]
Key Strategies & Methods
Surveillance & Tracking: Deployment of thermal drones, camera traps, and specialized sector-based monitoring teams. [1, 2, 3]
Deterrents & Traps: Use of custom decoys (such as child-scented doll/teddy bear traps), elephant dung and urine for scent diversion, and night-time firecrackers. [1, 2]
Authorizations: Implementation of enhanced enforcement measures, including shoot-at-sight orders and tranquilization protocols by forest and police personnel. [1, 2]
Casualties/Results: The broader campaigns resulted in multiple wolves captured or neutralized, while wildlife biologists and conservationists continue to study landscape changes and prey shortages contributing to the conflict. [1, 2]
While wolf attacks were presumed, vital DNA testing was not carried out. Meanwhile, evidence suggests that these may have been dog attacks—which notably do not qualify for government compensation schemes as wolf attacks do. This skewed policy not only perpetuates injustice for the victims' families who don't receive aid, but also for the wildlife unjustly blamed and killed. The same happened in 1996, and nothing has changed in 30 years.
The crux of the issue lies in the misuse of historical practices, like the shoot on sight orders from colonial times, which contradict our current understanding of biodiversity and the need for compassionate actions grounded in modern science. Instantaneous culling, based merely on baseless fears and assumptions, erodes the faith in equitable and humane wildlife management practices.
It's crucial that India moves beyond outdated methods and adopts modern, scientific approaches — like DNA testing — before jumping to conclusions. Wildlife management should prioritize ethical practices informed by current science, ensuring that we don't revert to unjust practices that undermine our cultural and spiritual values.
We implore the authorities to establish stringent guidelines ensuring factual investigation into wildlife and animal attacks before imposing lethal measures. Such reforms will protect both human lives and wildlife, fostering a safer and more compassionate coexistence within our communities.
‘Operation Bhediya’ in UP, shoot-at-sight orders given for man-eating wolf as death toll rises to 10 https://share.google/eiydMrfhQzt3tsBoc
Sign this petition to enforce policies that are grounded in evidence, prevent hasty and unjust actions against wildlife, and uphold the essence of Ahimsa in addressing future conflicts.
During the waves of suspected wolf attacks in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, India, at least 19 people—including 17 children—were reported killed across separate phases in 2024 and 2025.
The fatalities are broken down by each wave of conflict below:
1. The 2024 Attack Wave (March – September 2024)
Total Deaths: 10 people
Child Fatalities: 9 children (along with one woman)
Context: A pack of six wolves allegedly targeted villagers sleeping in open-air setups or doorless homes. The government launched "Operation Bhediya," live capturing five wolves, while local villagers killed the sixth to end the initial crisis.
2. The 2025 Attack Wave (September – December 2025)
Total Deaths: 9 people
Child Fatalities: 8 children (along with an elderly man or couple depending on the report)
Context: Attacks resumed abruptly in late 2025. High-profile incidents during this stretch included a 10-month-old girl and a 5-year-old boy snatched directly from their homes, promptings authorities to deploy drones, camera traps, and robots to manage the threat.
Why Children Were Targeted
Wildlife experts and the International Wolf Center point to a mix of environmental pressures and local vulnerability. Severe monsoon flooding altered natural habitats and depleted the wolves' wild prey, driving them into human settlements. Due to impoverished conditions—such as lack of secure housing, outdoor sleeping habits, and open defecation—unattended young children unfortunately became highly vulnerable targets for the starving predators. (Most likely unhoused dogs).
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Petition created on October 25, 2026