A rare fishing cat — believed to have strayed from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) — was rescued on Tuesday, 21 July from Railway Bridge No. 349 on the Bagaha–Narkatiaganj rail section in West Champaran district, Bihar, after sustaining injuries reportedly consistent with being struck by a passing train. The rescue, carried out jointly by the Forest Department and Railway Police, briefly disrupted train services on the route before operations returned to normal.

How the Rescue Unfolded

The animal was first spotted on the bridge, located between Bagaha and Khairpokhara railway stations near the Main Tirhut Canal. Villagers initially mistook it for a leopard cub, triggering alarm in the area. Railway officials were alerted and, in turn, notified the Forest Department.

Bagaha Station Superintendent Santosh Pandey confirmed that instructions were immediately issued for trains to slow down or halt if required while the rescue was in progress. A team from the Bagaha Forest Range, supported by the Railway Police, surrounded the animal and secured it using a large net.

Injuries and Current Condition

According to Bagaha Forest Range Officer Malkar, the fishing cat had sustained an injury to its lower back, which was impairing its movement — likely the result of a glancing blow from a passing train. The animal has since been shifted to the Bagaha Forest Range facility, where it is receiving treatment under the supervision of veterinarian Sanjeev Kumar. Forest officials said the cat will be released back into a suitable habitat within the Valmiki Tiger Reserve once it has fully recovered.

Nearly Two Weeks in the Village

Residents of the area told officials that the fishing cat had been roaming around the Serahwa Sareh area for nearly two weeks before the rescue. Villagers reported multiple sightings in the fields of Narval-Barval village, where the animal was observed hiding in sugarcane crops and hunting small prey in nearby bushes — behaviour consistent with a disoriented or displaced wild cat.

Flooding Blamed for Wildlife Displacement

Forest officials believe that continuous rainfall and rising water levels in the Gandak River have caused flooding and waterlogging across low-lying sections of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve. This, they say, has forced several wild animals to move toward higher ground in search of safety — a pattern observed in previous monsoon seasons in the region. Notably, the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act and classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, making its conservation particularly significant.

Forest Department Advisory

The Forest Department has urged residents living near forest areas not to approach, disturb, or attempt to capture any wild animal they may encounter. Officials have asked the public to immediately contact the Forest Department or local authorities so that trained rescue personnel can respond safely, protecting both the animal and people in the vicinity.