2 Asiatic Lions Get Run Over By Goods Train While Crossing Railway Track In Gujarat’s Amreli

At least two Asiatic lions were run over by a goods train on the railway line in Gujarat’s Amreli district, in which one was killed on the spot and another sustained injuries.

(REPRESENTATIVE): The incident occurred near Uchaiya village of Rajula taluka immediately after a forest staff spotted a pride of two lions and two lionesses close to the railway track.

At least two Asiatic lions were run over by a goods train on the railway line between Pipavav port and Surendranagar near Rajula taluka at 2:00 am on Friday in Gujarat’s Amreli district. One of them died on the spot and the other sustained injuries after they were hit by a goods train, said officials, as per news agency PTI. The incident occurred near Uchaiya village of Rajula taluka immediately after a forest staff spotted a pride of two lions and two lionesses close to the railway track connecting Pipavav Port with Rajula town.

#WATCH | Junagarh, Gujarat: Two Asiatic lions were run over by a goods train on the railway line between Pipavav port and Surendranagar near Rajula taluka at 2:00 am on July 21.

(Visuals from the spot, earlier today) pic.twitter.com/HPwlnTvRD5

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023

The 35-km railway route comes under the revenue area away from the Gir forest, which is the last abode of Asiatic lions in the world. According to the range forest officer (RFO) of Rajula Yograjsinh Rathod, despite being a revenue area, which falls under the Shetrunji forest division, lions have made it their home for a long time and many a time they cross the railway track.

“Upon learning that four lions were on the track, our Railway Sevak patrolling in that area alerted the loco pilot of the oncoming goods train by flashing his torch,” the officer was quoted by PTI as saying. He further added, “Though the loco pilot applied emergency brakes, one male lion was run over by the train and died on the spot.”

Rathod also said the train could not stop in time because it was too close to the lions when the loco pilot applied emergency brakes. The RFO said, “While our staff managed to save two lionesses by driving them to the other side of the track in time, another male lion was injured after being hit by the train.”

Later, the male lion was referred to Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh for treatment.

The state forest department had erected fences along the track at regular intervals to save the lions from being hit by trains. However, the wall and several watchtowers along the track were badly destroyed due to cyclone Tauktae in 2021.

According to the official, the repair work has already started and seven watchtowers have also been reinstalled to keep an eye on lions near the tracks. He further said Railway Sevaks were also deployed to alert the loco pilots and help lions in crossing the track. Last year, the officials helped about 106 lions cross the tracks safely on 36 occasions.