By Loshinniy Nair S. Baskaran,
A tragic incident unfolded early Sunday morning along the Gerik-Jeli stretch of the East-West Highway when a male elephant calf was fatally struck by a lorry transporting chickens. The collision occurred at approximately 2:50 a.m. at KM80 of the highway.
According to Gerik District Police Chief Superintendent Zulkifli Mahmood, the 28-year-old lorry driver observed a large elephant grazing on the right shoulder of the road and deemed it safe to proceed. However, moments later, a baby elephant suddenly emerged from the forest on the left side and attempted to cross the road. Due to the short distance, the driver was unable to stop in time, resulting in a fatal collision.
In a heart-wrenching display of maternal instinct, the adult elephant, believed to be the calf’s mother, became agitated and charged at the lorry, damaging the front of the vehicle in an attempt to free her trapped offspring. The driver was unharmed during the incident.
The Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) was notified and dispatched officers to the scene. They managed to sedate the distressed mother elephant to bring the situation under control. The elephant was later relocated back into the forest.
This incident has sparked widespread public outcry and renewed calls for enhanced wildlife protection measures. Perhilitan director Yusoff Shariff highlighted existing efforts, including the construction of wildlife crossings and the installation of 17 warning signs along identified hotspots. Additionally, lighting has been installed in collaboration with the Public Works Department to improve visibility and help road users drive more cautiously in areas known for wildlife crossings.
The emotional impact of the event has been profound, with many expressing grief over the loss and emphasizing the need for greater coexistence between humans and wildlife. As one observer noted, “To the driver, it is just an accident; he will move on with his day-to-day job, but to the mother elephant, she just lost her baby.”
Authorities urge motorists to exercise heightened caution when traveling through forested areas, particularly along the East-West Highway, to prevent such tragic encounters in the future as stated in The Star
