Can the Bahraich episode change the conservation narrative for wolves in India?

The recent spate of tragic incidents in Bahraich, where wolves reportedly considered children as potential prey and killed some of them, has thrust the species into the spotlight in a way that conservationists in India could not have anticipated. The narrative around wolves, which has long been overshadowed by more charismatic predators like tigers, lions, leopards, and now the reintroduced cheetah, is finally gaining widespread attention, albeit through a negative lens. While this surge in interest is rooted in fear and hostility, it presents a rare and critical opportunity to reshape the conversation around wolf conservation in India.