SHAH ALAM – Elephants can’t read road signs, but we can and that is why Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi is urging motorists to slow down and stay alert when driving through wildlife zones.
Speaking on the Top News podcast, Nanta reminded the public that when wild animals end up on roads, it is never their fault.
"Nobody wants to kill an elephant. It’s a pity because the elephant doesn’t understand the dangers of being on the road and the driver never expects to see one there. It’s unfortunate for both sides,” he said in Sinar Daily's recent podcast.
Nanta expressed sympathy not only for the wildlife but also for the motorists involved in such collisions, stressing that these incidents are rarely intentional.
"Drivers don’t mean to harm them, but accidents happen when we least expect them. The elephant doesn’t know, the tiger doesn’t know. That’s why the responsibility is on us to be cautious,” he added.
While updates on the latest elephant-related accident are being handled by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), Nanta highlighted the importance of existing safety measures, including wildlife crossing signage along high-risk routes.
“These signs showing elephants or other animals are there to warn drivers. Humans can look left, look right and make sure it’s safe before crossing. Animals can’t. The burden is entirely on us who drive,” he said.
He also noted that this risk extends beyond elephants, citing past cases where pregnant tigers were killed on roads.
“Be careful when driving through areas where these animals are known to roam. We have to share the road with them and they have no way of protecting themselves,” Nanta reminded.
In May, a baby elephant was fatally struck by a lorry on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway.
In an emotional scene, the mother elephant stood by her deceased calf’s body, grieving and refusing to leave its side.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of May 11, around 2am, on the East-West Highway, a major route cutting through the dense forests of Gerik.