Train collisions are a leading cause of elephant deaths in India, killing over 200 elephants in the past decade. As railway networks expand through natural habitats, the risk to endangered Asian elephants continues to grow.
In Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where multiple train routes intersect elephant corridors, authorities have introduced an AI-powered surveillance system to prevent accidents. Thermal night-vision cameras mounted on towers detect elephants near tracks and relay real-time alerts to a control room. Train drivers are then warned via messages, calls, and trackside signals, allowing them to slow down or stop.
Since its implementation in November 2023, the system has enabled over 6,500 safe crossings with no reported elephant deaths, marking a major success in wildlife conservation. It also provides valuable data on elephant movement and behaviour.
