How AI is saving elephants: When mighty animals move towards railway tracks, Gajraj AI sends instant alerts to trains, helping them cross safely

Tamil Nadu's AI-powered wildlife monitoring system, known as Gajraj AI, is helping forest and railway officials prevent elephant deaths on a vulnerable railway stretch near Coimbatore. According to a report by IANS, the technology has generated thousands of real-time alerts about elephant movement, allowing train drivers to slow down or stop trains while elephants safely cross the tracks.

The system has been operating along a railway stretch near Puthupathi village in the Madukkarai Forest Range, where elephant movement poses a significant risk of train collisions. By combining artificial intelligence, thermal imaging cameras, human monitoring and AI-powered drones, authorities are able to track wildlife movement and respond quickly.

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Gajraj AI Issues More Than 7,100 Elephant Alerts

According to IANS, the AI-based camera network has generated more than 7,100 alerts about elephant movement since becoming operational.

These alerts have enabled authorities to take immediate action whenever elephants are detected near the railway tracks.

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Train operations can then be adjusted to give the animals enough time to cross the railway corridor safely.

AI Alerts Help Trains Slow Down Or Stop

The system has prompted loco pilots to reduce train speeds or stop trains on more than 3,280 occasions, according to the IANS report.

The alerts are sent to forest personnel and railway authorities in real time. Nearby station masters are informed, after which loco pilots receive instructions through wireless communication to slow down or stop trains.

This rapid communication is particularly important because elephants can enter or cross railway tracks unexpectedly.

Nearly 9,500 Elephant Crossings Recorded Safely

The monitoring system has facilitated nearly 9,500 safe elephant crossings on the monitored railway stretch, according to officials cited by IANS.

Officials say the initiative has recorded zero elephant fatalities on the monitored stretch since the system became operational.

The results are significant for a railway corridor located near forest areas where elephant movement regularly intersects with railway operations.

How Gajraj AI Detects Elephants Near Railway Tracks

The system uses AI-powered cameras and thermal imaging technology to identify elephant movement around the railway corridor.

Thermal cameras allow monitoring teams to detect animals even when visibility is poor. Once an elephant is identified, the information is quickly transmitted to the relevant authorities.

The technology does not work alone. A dedicated team continuously monitors the alerts and coordinates with railway personnel and forest officials.

Forest Officials Guide Elephants Away From Danger

Once an alert is received, forest teams move towards the location to assess the situation and help guide elephants safely across the railway corridor.

Frontline forest staff, drone operators, railway personnel and other officials work together through a round-the-clock control and command centre.

The objective is to ensure that elephants can cross the tracks without coming into conflict with passing trains.

Railway Officials Receive Live Elephant Movement Updates

The AI monitoring network is integrated with railway communication systems, allowing information to reach railway authorities quickly.

Station masters at nearby stations receive alerts, while loco pilots are informed through wireless communication.

Forest and railway officials also share live updates on elephant locations through a dedicated messaging platform. This allows teams on both sides to maintain a common understanding of where the animals are moving.

AI System Also Detects Gaur, Deer And Leopards

Although the technology was introduced primarily to address elephant-train collisions, its capabilities extend beyond elephants.

The surveillance network has also detected gaur, deer and leopards in the area.

This has effectively turned the system into a broader wildlife monitoring network, providing authorities with information about animal movement around the railway corridor and surrounding forest landscape.

AI Drones Strengthen Wildlife Monitoring

The surveillance network has also been expanded through the deployment of AI-powered drones.

Unlike fixed cameras, drones can cover a much wider area and provide an aerial view of forests and railway corridors.

The additional monitoring helps officials track elephant movement beyond the immediate vicinity of the railway tracks and understand where herds are moving before they approach the railway corridor.

Technology And Human Monitoring Work Together

One of the key features of the system is the combination of technology and human intervention.

AI cameras detect potential elephant movement, while human teams assess the alerts and coordinate the necessary response. Railway personnel can then slow down or stop trains, while forest teams work to ensure the animals cross safely.

This coordinated approach allows technology to act as an early-warning system while trained personnel remain responsible for responding to the situation.

Gajraj AI Aims To Make Elephant-Railway Corridors Safer

The Tamil Nadu initiative highlights how artificial intelligence can be used for wildlife conservation and railway safety.

With more than 7,100 elephant movement alerts, over 3,280 instances of trains being slowed or stopped and nearly 9,500 safe elephant crossings, the system is helping authorities manage one of the biggest challenges faced by railway networks operating close to elephant habitats.

The addition of AI-powered drones could further expand the monitoring network, giving forest and railway officials more information about wildlife movement across the wider landscape.

For now, the combination of real-time AI detection, thermal imaging, drones and round-the-clock human coordination is helping create a safer passage for elephants while allowing railway operations to continue through a sensitive wildlife corridor.


Inputs from agencies