Highway claims another elephant life in preventable incident.
DANIAL HAKIM
A heart-wrenching accident early Sunday morning has left Malaysians devastated, as 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.
A poultry delivery lorry struck the five-year-old baby elephant while crossing the road with its mother.
According to Gerik District Police Chief Superintendent Zulkifli Mahmood, the lorry driver, a 28-year-old man en route to deliver chickens, initially spotted the adult elephant grazing by the road.
Assuming it was safe, he proceeded, only for the baby elephant to suddenly appear from the opposite side, leaving the driver with little time to stop.
The collision proved fatal for the calf, which died at the scene.
In the aftermath, a 71-second video showing the grieving mother elephant went viral, capturing her desperate attempts to wake her calf by nudging the lorry.
For over five hours, the mother elephant stood guard beside her child’s body, refusing to allow anyone near.
Emergency Response and Wildlife Rescue Efforts
The Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) was alerted around 3.30am.
A team quickly responded to manage the situation and ensure public safety.
Perhilitan Director Yusoff Shariff confirmed the calf’s death and described that the mother elephant’s emotional distress required sedatives to relocate her back into the forest safely.
“We had to relocate her for safety reasons, both for her and our personnel.
“The removal of the calf's carcass took several hours, requiring a tow truck and bulldozer," said Yusoff.
A Growing Crisis: Human-Wildlife Conflicts on the Rise
This tragic incident highlighted the increasing conflicts between human infrastructure and wildlife, particularly along the East-West Highway, which runs through known elephant corridors.
Similar incidents have occurred in recent months, highlighting the growing danger to elephants and other wildlife.
In January, a herd of elephants caused a car accident and in April 2024, another baby elephant was killed by a vehicle.
Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia (Ecomy) Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sebastian emphasised that these incidents were not mere accidents but preventable tragedies.
“Proper signage and measures to protect wildlife must be prioritised. These roads are part of the elephants’ natural pathways.”
Sebastian called for proactive solutions, including better signage, reduced speed limits and wildlife crossings in high-risk areas.
National Outrage and Calls for Change
The viral video of the grieving mother triggered widespread outrage and sympathy online.
Posts about the incident, particularly on Dunia Haiwan Malaysia's Facebook page, garnered thousands of reactions and shares. Netizens expressed heartbreak over the mother’s loss and the need for better wildlife protection.
“This tragedy is a reminder that these roads are not just for us—they are shared spaces with wildlife,” one netizen said.
Another highlighted, “Better awareness and infrastructure are crucial to prevent these preventable fatalities.”
One particularly poignant comment read, “This isn’t just an animal tragedy. It’s a story of a mother’s love and loss—just like any mother would grieve for her child.”
A Long-Term Solution: The Perak Elephant Sanctuary
In response to the growing human-wildlife conflict, the Perak Elephant Sanctuary, announced in November 2024, was being developed to provide a safe refuge for displaced elephants.
The sanctuary, set to open in 2029, aims to reduce such conflicts by acting as a buffer between wildlife habitats and development zones.
However, experts and activists argued that immediate actions are needed to prevent further tragedies.
"Today, it's an elephant; tomorrow, it could be another endangered species.
“We can no longer treat these incidents as mere accidents," warned Sebastian.
The death of this baby elephant in Gerik has sparked a national reflection on the consequences of unchecked development and the need for urgent change to protect wildlife.
As the mother elephant stood mourning by the roadside, Malaysians across the country mourned with her—haunted by the question: How many more lives must be lost before we take action?
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