In a poignant rescue operation, the West Central Railway (WCR) undertook a remarkable initiative by operating a special single-coach AC train to transport two critically injured tiger cubs from the Midghat area near Budhni, Madhya Pradesh. The cubs had sustained injuries after being struck by a train in the forested region.
The incident, which occurred on the night of July 14-15, tragically claimed the life of one cub, a nearly nine-month-old male. The two surviving cubs, both female, were found stranded near a drain close to the railway tracks, with rescue efforts initially hampered by the arrival of their mother, who guarded them vigilantly.
Following a brief pause due to darkness, the rescue operation resumed the next morning. A dedicated team comprising veterinarians and officials from the Satpuda Tiger Reserve coordinated efforts to safely retrieve the cubs despite the challenges posed by the protective mother tiger.
A special train was swiftly arranged to transport the injured cubs to safety. Departing from Midghat, the train carried the cubs to the Rani Kamalapati railway station in Bhopal, where they were subsequently transferred to the Van Vihar National Park for urgent medical attention.
Upon examination, it was discovered that both cubs had temporarily lost the use of their hind legs due to the effects of tranquilizing drugs administered during the rescue. They are scheduled for further evaluation and treatment once the medication’s effects subside, ensuring they receive the best possible care to recover from their injuries.
