A group of nine lions was sighted in Gujarat’s Amreli district, causing commuters on the Rajula Pipavav State Highway to pause until the highway cleared. The video capturing the lions, filmed by a passing individual, has gone viral on social media.
In a separate incident, a goods train driver was lauded for his quick actions that saved the lives of ten lions near Pipavav Port in Amreli district early on Monday, according to a railway official. The driver, Mukesh Kumar Meena, applied emergency brakes upon spotting the lions resting on the tracks. Western Railway’s Bhavnagar division reported that Meena stopped the train, waited for the lions to vacate the tracks, and then safely proceeded to the train’s destination.
The incident occurred as Meena was operating a goods train from Pipavav Port station to a siding track beside the main corridor. Videos taken by Meena show the lions walking along the tracks before disappearing into nearby foliage.
In recent years, several lions have tragically perished on the railway line connecting Pipavav Port with northern Gujarat. Officials note that despite its distance from the outer periphery of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the port frequently attracts lions into the area.
Gujarat is home to 674 Asiatic lions, according to the latest census conducted in June 2020. Western Railway’s Bhavnagar Division emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure wildlife safety, including lions. Loco pilots on this route are instructed to maintain vigilance and adhere to prescribed speed limits for the protection of wildlife, the release stated.