Characteristics of wolf attacks on humans in India from 1970 to 2024

Context Wolf attacks on humans have been a significant cause of human–wolf conflicts, leading to retaliatory killings that have posed a serious conservation threat to wolves since historic times. Although instances of wolf attacks on humans in India have been sporadically reported, comprehensive documentation and systematic analysis of such events remain limited. Aims The objective of the current study was to identify the pattern of wolf attacks on humans over the span of 50 years and to assess the socio-ecological factors that govern the attacks on children. Methods The information of wolf attacks on humans in India was collected from 1970 to 2024 through published literature, news articles, media reports, web pages, popular articles, and published and unpublished technical and scientific reports. Generalized linear models were used to understand the effects of socio-ecological factors underlying wolf attacks on children. Key results Predatory attacks (76%) were more common than rabid attacks (24%). Victims mostly comprised children in the age group of 0–15 years (62%). Wolf attacks were more common during the evening (50%) and night (32%) hours. Children are more likely to be attacked by wolves in the evening hours near villages, whereas adults are more prone to wolf attacks during daytime, away from villages. Conclusion Our results suggest that the predatory wolf’s attacks are more likely to occur on children in areas with poor socio-economic conditions. Implications Garnering the local support of people and regularly monitoring wolf attacks are recommended in areas where such attacks are more frequent, to ensure the long-term acceptance and persistence of wolves in India.