A rare fishing cat, believed to have strayed from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, was safely rescued from a railway bridge on the Bagaha–Narkatiaganj rail section in Bihar’s West Champaran district. The incident caused a brief disruption in train operations, leading to a coordinated rescue effort by the Forest Department and railway authorities.
The fishing cat was initially mistaken for a leopard cub by villagers and was spotted on Railway Bridge No. 349, situated between Bagaha and Khairpokhara railway stations near the Main Tirhut Canal. Upon receiving the alert, railway officials collaborated with the Forest Department to ensure the safe removal of the animal from the tracks. Train services resumed after the successful rescue operation.
A rescue team from the Bagaha Forest Range, supported by the Railway Police, managed to capture the fishing cat using a large net. The cat had sustained injuries, likely from a train collision, with an injury to its lower back hindering its movement. Following the rescue, the fishing cat was taken to the Bagaha Forest Range facility for treatment under the care of veterinarian Sanjeev Kumar. Plans are in place to release the animal back into the Valmiki Tiger Reserve once it has fully recovered.
Residents reported that the fishing cat had been seen in the Serahwa Sareh area for nearly two weeks before its rescue, often hiding among sugarcane fields and hunting small animals in the vicinity. Forest officials attribute the animal’s displacement to heavy rainfall and flooding in the Gandak River, which have forced wildlife to seek higher ground for safety.
Authorities have advised residents near forested areas to refrain from approaching or capturing wild animals and instead notify the Forest Department or local authorities for safe relocation. The focus remains on ensuring the safety of both people and animals during such encounters.
