Japanese rail workers build special tunnels to save turtles from train deaths
Ten turtles have been saved since the tunnels were installed
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Railway engineers in Japan have created a scheme to prevent wandering turtles being killed by trains while crossing the country’s rail tracks.
Working in conjunction with the Suma Aqualife aquarium in Kobe, West Japan Railways installed shallow tunnels allowing the reptiles to walk safely beneath the tracks.
The five U-Shaped concrete ditches, completed in November, were built at two stations in Nara Prefecture close to hazardous switch points where turtles often become trapped, The Japan Times reports.
Located only a short distance from both the aquarium and the ocean, the tracks receive large numbers of reptilian visitors during May and September.
“The turtles are basically just going about their daily business and have to cross the lines to get to a pond,” a railway spokesman told AFP.
"When the point blades move, unfortunately they get squashed between them and die.”
The tunnels also aim to lessen rail delays after turtles were responsible for 13 disruptions to train services between 2002 and 2014 by falling into spaces between rail switches and getting squashed, according to West Japan Railway officials.
“They can cause long delays to operations so we consulted with a turtle specialist to find the best way to help them,” the spokesman added.
Railway staff now check the ditches regularly for rogue reptiles and any found are removed and sent to the aquarium.
Since the tunnels were completed last month 10 turtles have been saved, according to officials.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments