A herd of elephants numbering at least 10, was travelling in the West Bengal Chapramari Wildlife’s Sanctuary in November 2013, when they collided with a train travelling at high speed, resulting in their deaths and injuries to many others.

Other relief workers and forest guards forced the remaining grieving elephants to leave the scene. Between 2017-18 to 2020-21, over 63,00 animals—including 73 elephants and four Asiatic lions—died on railroad tracks. In 2022, 13,000 cattle were hit by train according to data released by the government.

Nearly 32,000 animals were killed on railway tracks between 2016-2018. 

Sam Jefferson’s Innovative Solution

A class 10 students at a government school in Thanjavur and the son of a labourer, Sam Jefferson, was troubled by this tragic situation and decided to do something about it. To lower the number of such incidents, he created an Automatic Alarm Bar controlling Forest Animal Accidents, the device consists of a board with a connector device connected to multiple wires and an auto senser light.

It has a submersible motor pump, a siren, and a relay device that are all controlled by remote. Animals like bison, foxes, deer, elephants, and bears all can be detected with this device. 

Functionality of the Automatic Alarm Bar

The device scares animals away from the railway track by making it sound an alarm when it detects an animal. The device has a backup mechanism in case the sound is unable to scare off the animal. It will return on a relay device attached to it, which enables a motor submerged in water. A structure resembling a tank, with this motor as a part, quickly squirts water at animals through a water pipe to scare them away.

Jefferson gave a demonstration of the device at both the district and regional science fairs and won a prize. Sam had many doubts while working, but his teacher helped him throughout the process. His teacher additionally disclosed that appropriate utilization of the invention could potentially avoid harm to crops, such as sugarcane, and avoid fatalities on railroads tracks. Also, he made this device in just 4 days, at a very low rate.  

The fact that these incidents report death of animals like lion, elephants, leopards, and cattle make it even more concerning about the death of smaller species that are just as vulnerable. Because of rapid urbanization, animals lose access to food and water sources making them travel through areas where railway lines are located. They also must deal with fast trains whenever they go through these areas. 

Impact of Urbanization in Wildlife

Urbanization is increasing at a high speed, which impacts the ecosystem and wildlife. Similar circumstances exist in Tamil Nadu, which has been battling the problem of elephant deaths on and around its railroad tracks. At least 36 elephants died in train collision in the southern state over the past deacde.s

The critical issue of saving animals on railroads requires action. Multiple animals suffer injuries or die each year while crossing railroad tracks. We can construct safe routes, such as tunnels or bridges to protect them. It’s also crucial to install warning systems that notify train operators to reduce their speed when animals are in direct range. We all can contribute to ensure the security and welfare of wildlife near railroad tracks. 

Thousands of animals die because of trains. As animals do not know how to protect themselves, it’s our duty to do it for them. Government has created fence around tracks, installed towers with camera that help slow down the train speed when an animal found on the tracks. Just like Sam, if we will start taking responsibilities towards ecosystem, we can save them, and more animals will get to live a safe and happy life.