WATCH: Sharp loco pilots slam emergency brakes to save 12 elephants on railway tracks

Loco pilots have to be always on their guard as they need to save not just human beings but also animals who may stray on the tracks. Doing this were two pilots who saved the lives of a dozen elephants including calves as they crossed the railway track in Palamu Tiger Reserve.

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The train was the Howrah-Jabalpur Shaktipunj Express which was going to West Bengal at a speed of 70 km per hour through PTR dense forests when at 6 p.m. a herd of elephants crossed the tracks between Chipadohar and Hehegara railway stations.

Talking to PTI, Rajnikant Choubey, Assistant Loco Pilot said: “Loco pilot A K Vidyarthi and I swiftly pulled the emergency brake and the train stopped around 60 metres from the herd. We felt a sense of satisfaction after saving the lives of at least 12 elephants.”

In fact, there is no speed limit on that stretch and the caution line starts after 500 metres where the speed limit is 25 km per hour.

PTR which is spread over 1,129.93 sq km area is home to 47 species of mammals and 174 species of birds. There are around 250 elephants in the reserve.

Profusely thanking the pilots for their timely action, PTR’s Field Director Kumar Ashutosh said: “We thank the loco pilots for saving the lives of 12 elephants. Several elephants were killed in this section in the past. I would urge other loco pilots to remain cautious like Choubey and Vidyarthi.”