Lionhearts save 103 Asiatic lions

Alert train drivers, foresters halt trains in nick of time to save lions wandering on to railway tracks

- Ankit Pandeyfeedback

In a remarkable display of collaboration, locomotive pilots and the state forest department in Gujarat have saved the lives of 103 Asiatic lions from April to December 2024.

Of these, 85 were saved by vigilant loco pilots who halted trains to prevent accidents, while the forest department assisted in saving 18 by relocating them to safer areas.

This achievement reflects a growing awareness of wildlife conservation in areas where railway tracks intersect with lion habitats, particularly in regions like Rajula Junction, Pipavav Port, and Savarkundla.

On June 17, 2024, a loco pilot on the Pipavav-Savarkundla route noticed 10 lions near the tracks and immediately stopped the train. A quick alert to the forest department ensured their safe relocation.