Train in India stops for two hours as elephant gives birth on tracks

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An elephant was spotted giving birth along a railway track in Indias eastern state of Jharkhand.

PHOTOS: BHUPENDAR YADAV/X

What can stop a train dead in its tracks? A 3,000kg elephant giving birth, for one.

A video posted on the social media platform X by India’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr Bhupender Yadav, on July 9 shows an elephant going into labour right next to a railroad track in India’s eastern state of Jharkhand.

A forest official sent out an alert to all trains traversing a stretch between two stations after a ranger informed him that an elephant was spotted lying on the tracks and was at risk of being run over.

A train carrying coal came across the elephant, and stopped for about two hours to give it room to give birth.

The elephant eventually managed to deliver a healthy calf, and both mother and baby walked away from the tracks and into the forest safely.

Mr Yadav said in his post that his ministry and India’s railways authority have identified over 110 sensitive wildlife corridors along 3,500km of railway tracks across India.

“These zones are now being monitored closely to prevent accidents and to support such life-affirming moments,” he said, referring to the elephant giving birth.

Mr Yadav’s post, which has been seen over 50,000 times, drew both praise and scorn.

“Salute to the train driver who stopped at the right moment and saved both mother and her calf,” said one social media user who commented on the minister’s post.

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