Patna, July 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) A rare fishing cat that had apparently strayed from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) was safely rescued from a railway bridge on the Bagaha–Narkatiaganj rail section in Bihar’s West Champaran district on Tuesday.
The incident briefly disrupted train operations and prompted a coordinated rescue by the Forest Department and railway authorities.
The animal was spotted on Railway Bridge No. 349, located between Bagaha and Khairpokhara railway stations near the Main Tirhut Canal. Initially, villagers believed it was a leopard cub, triggering concern in the area.
After receiving information, railway officials alerted the Forest Department. Bagaha Station Superintendent Santosh Pandey said railway authorities immediately issued instructions for trains to slow down or stop if necessary while the rescue operation was underway. Train services resumed normally after the animal was safely removed from the tracks.
A rescue team from the Bagaha Forest Range, assisted by the Railway Police, reached the site and surrounded the animal before carefully capturing it with a large net.
According to Bagaha Forest Range Officer Malkar, the rescued fishing cat had sustained injuries, possibly after being struck by a passing train. The officer said the animal appeared to have suffered an injury to its lower back, making movement difficult.
Following the rescue, the fishing cat was shifted to the Bagaha Forest Range facility, where it is receiving treatment under the supervision of veterinarian Sanjeev Kumar. Forest officials said the animal will be released back into a suitable habitat within the Valmiki Tiger Reserve after it has fully recovered.
According to residents, the fishing cat had been roaming around the Serahwa Sareh area for nearly two weeks before the rescue. Villagers reported spotting it several times in the fields of Narval-Barval village, where it often hid among sugarcane and hunted small animals in nearby bushes.
Forest officials believe that continuous rainfall and rising water levels in the Gandak River have caused flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, forcing several wild animals to move toward higher ground in search of safety.
The Forest Department has appealed to residents living near forest areas not to approach or attempt to capture wild animals if they are spotted.
Officials have urged the public to immediately inform the Forest Department or local authorities so that trained personnel can safely rescue and relocate wildlife while ensuring the safety of both people and animals.
Source: IANS
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