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 prompted 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.

Ajit Singh, a government forest officer, 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,” Mr Singh told AFP.

“It seems it is part of the same pack of wolves.”