The heart-wrenching incident took place at approximately 2 am on Friday in Uchaiya village, situated about 4 kilometers north of the port, within the Rajula range of the Shetrunji wildlife division.

Forest officers on the scene reported that four sub-adult lions, comprising two males and two females, were attempting to cross the railway track when the unfortunate collision occurred. In an effort to safeguard these majestic creatures and monitor their movements along the railway line, two railway sevaks were hired by the forest department.

Despite the loco pilot's prompt application of emergency brakes, the train couldn't avoid the collision, resulting in the loss of one of the endangered Asiatic lions. The train came to a screeching halt, but not before inflicting severe injuries on the second lion.

This tragic incident sheds light on the challenges faced in balancing wildlife conservation and human activities in the region. Authorities are actively working to protect and safeguard the endangered Asiatic lion population in the area.

The loss of these iconic big cats has left the local community and wildlife conservationists devastated, raising concerns about the need for increased measures to prevent such accidents in the future.

Updates on the situation will follow as investigations continue and measures are taken to ensure the safety of both wildlife and rail transport in the region. (ILKHA)