The Gerik elephant tragedy that sparked a national outcry
Elephants are extraordinary creatures, known for their immense intelligence, strong family bonds, and deep emotional lives. On 11th May 2025, also Mother’s Day, a tragic incident along the Gerik-Jeli Highway in Malaysia highlighted just how strong these bonds can be when a mother elephant refused to leave the side of her dead calf after it collided with a lorry.
The incident served as a painful reminder of wildlife’s dangers on our roads, especially in areas where highways cut through their natural habitats. Here’s why we should care about wildlife protection in Malaysia and what we can do to help as Malaysians:
The recent Gerik elephant tragedy
After a lorry fatally struck an elephant calf in the early hours of that Sunday morning, its mother was seen trying for hours to rescue it while it was pinned under the vehicle. She was observed by passers-by attempting to push the lorry with her head, in what can be assumed to be a desperate effort to save her calf.
After she refused to leave her calf for over five hours, the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) had to employ tranquilisers to transport her back to the forest.
Female elephants rarely travel alone, but the mother of the five-year-old calf that did not survive the crash was said to have returned all alone the day after to search for her baby, despite having been sedated and led back to her herd the night before.
@kutupai Lalu jalan Jeli/Gerik tadi… nampak ibu gajah ni masih cari anak dia yang dah mati kena langgar. Sayu hati, Naluri ibu tak pernah padam… dia masih menunggu walau anaknya takkan kembali. #JalanGerik #PuncakTitiwangsa ♬ bunyi asal – DiangDiana@ – cikdyane79
A TikTok user, Wafiy Zulkhairi, who passed by the area, shared a video of the heartbreaking scene, along with the caption: “Saw a mother elephant while passing through Gerik-Jeli earlier today. She is still searching for her baby, who died yesterday morning.”
This incident has since sparked renewed calls for better infrastructure that allows the local wildlife population to live and thrive in our country’s animal-abundant landscapes.
Only 2,000-3,00 elephants left in the wild
Asian elephants in Malaysia are the only surviving species of the Elephas genus in Asia and are the largest land animals in the country. They primarily inhabit tropical rainforests, grasslands, and lowland forests. According to the Malaysian Wildlife Organisation, there are only around 2,100-3,100 of them left in the wild.
Image credit: Jabatan PERHILITAN Semenanjung Malaysia via Facebook
Unfortunately, they are now considered endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal wildlife trafficking.
Other human-animal conflicts in the past
Unfortunately, the recent elephant calf death on the Gerik-Jeli highway is not an isolated case of human-animal conflict in the nation.
Since 2020, a total of 2,361 wild animals, including eight elephants, have been killed in vehicle collisions, as shared by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability in a report by The Star.
Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 112 Malayan tapirs were killed in vehicle collisions, making them the most affected species. Sun bears and black panthers came next, with nine recorded road fatalities each. Asian elephants followed with six deaths, while Malayan tigers were the least affected, with four reported cases.
Other recent high-profile incidents in the past include the death of an endangered Malayan tiger, found lifeless along the East-West Highway after being struck by a trailer in November 2024. The tiger’s carcass was later found to be mutilated, with several body parts stolen, sparking concern over the twin threats of roadkill and wildlife crime, as reported by Bernama.
What is being done for wildlife protection in Malaysia?
Malaysia currently has a limited number of wildlife crossings, including one along the prominent West Coast Expressway (WCE), which is only partially completed. This particular crossing was built because the WCE-Perak Highway alignment runs through the Bubu Forest Reserve for approximately 1.69km, cutting across a 700-hectare portion at the southwestern edge of the reserve.
For further protection, side fencing and barriers have also been installed to prevent animals from wandering onto the highway and guide them instead to the crossing.
In another report by the New Straits Times, Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Yusoff Shariff revealed that approximately 40 elephant crossing points have been identified along the roadway, which slices through a critical elephant habitat. This highlights just how active the area is with elephant movement.
Image credit: andrewyeoh76 via Flickr
To help prevent collisions, 19 warning signs and 17 streetlights have already been installed, with more measures planned as new hotspots are identified. Authorities also aim to introduce speed breakers and blinking LED lights on warning signs to further enhance road safety for both elephants and motorists.
What Malaysians can do to help
What to do when you encounter wild animals on the road?
In a separate incident on 21st May 2025, also along the Gerik-Jeli highway, a herd of wild elephants attacked a vehicle after being startled by a loud horn blast from another car. The sudden noise had triggered panic among the elephants, leading to the reaction.
This case highlights the importance of understanding the do’s and don’ts of driving through animal crossing zones.
- Be wary of animal crossing zones
- Avoid using loud noises such as honking when wildlife is nearby
- Drive slowly and stay alert
- Don’t speed in animal crossing zones
- Don’t use high beams when encountering elephants
We must always keep in mind that animals can be unpredictable and often travel in groups, and accidents are usually caused when the driver assumes they won’t encounter more animals after seeing just one.
If you do spot wildlife that appears to be in distress, you should contact PERHILITAN at their hotline, 1-800-88-5151.
What are the crossing zones in Malaysia?
As Malaysians, we have a shared responsibility to care for our diverse wildlife. In Kelantan, several areas have already been identified as elephant crossing zones, encompassing several main roads and key exit routes from the state.
Notable zones include the East-West Highway connecting Jeli to Gerik in Perak, as well as districts like Jeli, Gua Musang, and Kuala Krai. Usually, there are light-up signs that indicate elephant crossings on the highway.
A local elephant went viral in April when it was captured on video standing still and staring intently at one such ‘Awas, pandu perlahan’ sign, indicating his own presence – an example of the kind of heed that motorists should give to the road sign.
Urge for more wildlife protection in Malaysia
The wildlife-related road accidents in Malaysia all highlight a much larger issue. These tragedies are preventable, and not only threaten Malaysia’s rich biodiversity but also signal the urgent need for better infrastructure and more public awareness.
As Malaysians, it’s our responsibility to stay vigilant and do our part in preventing further harm to our precious fauna. Actions we can take include obeying speed limits in animal crossing zones and staying alert on roads that cut through forested areas.
The protection of wildlife in Malaysia is more than just an ordinary civic duty – it’s a shared commitment to preserving the natural heritage that defines our nation.
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Cover image adapted from: WWF Malaysia, Kementerian Kerja Raya Malaysia via Facebook