On July 14, employees from the power supply division at Baoshen Railway’s Sancha Station, while returning from scheduled track maintenance work, encountered a large wild bird on the trackside. The bird, with an injured and bleeding wing and showing clear signs of distress, was huddled by the roadside, critically endangered and simultaneously posing a safety risk should it stray onto the railway line.
The employees promptly approached the bird and, after careful visual identification, confirmed it to be a black stork, a species designated as a national first-class protected wildlife and often colloquially known as the “giant panda among birds”. Exercising utmost caution to avoid aggravating its injuries, they gently secured the bird with appropriate protective measures and immediately notified the station’s supervisory personnel. To expedite professional veterinary care, the station arranged for a vehicle to transport the injured black stork directly to the Wildlife Protection Station under the Wuzhai County Forestry Bureau, where local forestry officials examined the bird, documented its condition, and formally accepted it for care. Subsequently, specialists from the Wildlife Protection Division of the Shanxi Forestry and Grassland Bureau traveled to the station to take over custody, initiating a systematic regimen of treatment and rehabilitation. Once the bird has fully recovered and regained independent flight capability, it will be released back into its natural habitat at an appropriate juncture.
This rescue effort not only addressed a potential rail line safety hazard without delay but also saved the life of a rare and protected species. Moreover, it illustrates the robust safety consciousness and ecological conservation of frontline railway power supply personnel. Through their decisive actions, these employees have made a tangible contribution to both railway safety and local biodiversity conservation, exemplifying the professionalism, sense of responsibility, and compassionate regard for all living beings that characterize railway workers.
