In many states, elephants have been dying on railway tracks. In Odisha alone, 40 elephants were killed by freight trains over the past decade. Tamil Nadu has also witnessed numerous animal deaths due to trains. Animals often wander onto railway tracks in search of food, only to fall victim to electric fences or speeding trains. In response to this issue, students have developed a simple device to protect wildlife and prevent further fatalities.
According to the forest department, 36 elephants have been hit and killed by trains in Tamil Nadu over the last ten years. This alarming situation deeply affected Sam Jefferson, a Class 10 student at a government school in Thanjavur and the son of a laborer. Motivated to find a solution, Sam created an automatic device aimed at preventing wild animal deaths. His invention, named the Automatic Alarm Bar Controlling Forest Animal Accident, is designed to save wildlife.
Sam’s device is a straightforward yet effective student-made apparatus. It features a board with a connector device linked to an auto-sensor light and wires, all controlled remotely. The system includes a relay device, a siren, and a submersible motor pump, which work together to detect the movement of animals such as elephants, bears, deer, foxes, and bison.
When the device detects an animal, it triggers an alarm that emits a loud sound, scaring the animals away from the railway track. If the sound alone isn’t enough, the device has a secondary mechanism. The control device activates a relay that operates the submerged motor pump, which then rapidly splashes water from a tank through a pipe, further encouraging the animals to move away.
Sam showcased his invention at both district-level and regional-level science fairs, earning a prize and certificate for his innovative work. Despite initial doubts, Sam’s supportive teacher provided guidance and encouragement, emphasizing that the invention could also help protect crops like sugarcane. Sam developed the apparatus at a very low cost in just four days and aspires to continue contributing through his inventions in the future.
