In a concerning incident in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh, a creature resembling a wolf spread panic among villagers, later identified as a hyena by officials.

The incident took place in Bhognipur town of Kanpur Dehat district and the visuals went viral on October 3.

Visuals showed a wild-looking creature roaming the area, causing alarm among locals. However, a second set of visuals clarified that the creature was, in fact, a hyena, not a wolf, as initially feared.

According to reports, the video sparked worry in the local community until Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) AK Dubey confirmed that wolves do not inhabit the forests of Kanpur Dehat, but hyenas and jackals are common. Dubey emphasized that the presence of such animals is normal and should not cause concern. The forest department will take necessary action if any problems arise. DFO Dubey also urged people to refrain from spreading unverified videos on social media to prevent misinformation. His statement brought relief to the community, easing the tension.

The clarification by the forest department has reassured the residents, and the fear among villagers has subsided. This incident highlights the importance of verifying viral videos and how misinformation can spread quickly without accurate information.