Local Residents Mistake Fishing Cat for Tiger Cub, Prompt Alert

Residents of a village near the Tirhut Canal reported seeing what they believed to be a tiger cub on a railway bridge, causing alarm throughout the community. The animal was later confirmed to be a fishing cat, a protected but rarely seen species in the region.

The sighting occurred on bridge number 349 between Bagha and Khairpokhara stations in West Champaran. Upon hearing about the possible tiger cub, locals called railway officials, who immediately contacted the forest department.

A rescue squad from Bagha Forest Range, supported by railway police, arrived within minutes. They surrounded the cat with a large net and carefully lifted it off the tracks. Examination revealed a wound on the animal’s lower back, likely sustained from a train’s brush.

The cat was rushed to the Bagha Forest Range Centre, where veterinarian Dr. Sanjeev Kumar is administering care. Once the cat has fully healed, the forest department plans to relocate it to a secure enclosure inside Valmiki Tiger Reserve.

The incident serves as a reminder that mistaken identities can lead to unnecessary panic, and authorities urge citizens to inform officials rather than approach wildlife directly.