Jul 16, 2024 10:36 PM IST
The two cubs were among three that were run over by a train at Midghat section in MP’s Sehore. One cub died on the spot
BHOPAL: Two tiger cubs grievously injured after being hit by a train on Monday were evacuated for treatment by a special train run at the request of wildlife officials to bring the cubs from Sehore district to Bhopal’s Van Bihar 60km away, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
The two cubs were among three that were run over by a train at Midghat section in Sehore. One cub died on the spot. The other two survived but were unable to move.
A forest team that reached the spot to help the cubs couldn’t reach them because a tigress was in the vicinity to protect them. The closest road was about 1.5km from the accident site and any effort to help the cubs could have led to a confrontation between the tigress and the team.
“It was very risky to rescue cubs in the rescue vehicle as the cubs were sitting near the railway track,” said a Madhya Pradesh forest department official.
MS Dabar, divisional forest officer, Sehore, said when the team tried to approach the cubs, the tigress would growl. The team waited all night near the accident site to rescue the cubs but did not get an opportunity. Finally, it was decided to request the railways to operate a special train for the tiger cubs.
“After receiving permission, a special train with about 50 people including administrative officers, forest officers, a team of veterinarians from Van Vihar Bhopal and a team of wildlife experts from Satpura Tiger Reserve left for Midghat. The train stopped just a few meters away from the cubs and used a net and a cot. The cubs were moved to the train within a few minutes. The treatment of cubs started in the train itself,” said Budhni sub-divisional magistrate RS Baghel said.
The train reached Rani Kamlapati railway station at 3pm with the cubs. “The cubs are responding to treatment and doing well,” added Dabar.