Indian villagers kill last wolf from man-eating pack

LUCKNOW, India: Villagers in India have beaten to death a wolf believed to be the last of a six-member pack that killed nine people, eight of them children, wildlife officials said on Sunday.

The grey wolves sparked hysteria among residents in Bahraich district of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where the animals were said to have attacked more than 40 people. More than 150 armed personnel and dozens of government forestry officials were deployed to capture the wolves last month.

Five of the animals were trapped, with drones and surveillance cameras suggesting only one remained free.

Government forest officer Ajit Singh said villagers had contacted his team on Sunday after they killed a prowling wolf.

“We were informed about a dead animal in the village, and upon reaching the scene, we found a wolf with clear signs of physical injuries,” Singh told AFP. “It seems it is part of the same pack of wolves,” Singh said.

Further investigations were needed to verify that no more wolves remained in the area, he said.

Experts say wolves attack humans or livestock only as a last resort when they are starving, preferring less dangerous prey such as small antelopes.