KUALA LUMPUR – A female adult elephant, believed to be the mother, was seen desperately trying to move a container truck that had struck and killed her calf on the East-West Highway (JRTB) Gerik-Jeli early this morning.
Perak’s Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Yusoff Shariff said that they received a report about the incident involving the approximately 5-year-old male calf, weighing around 700kg, at about 3.30am today.
“…Perhilitan officers arrived at the scene, and the calf’s carcass will be disposed of (buried),” he said as reported by Bernama.
“The mother elephant, estimated to be between 25 to 27 years old, did not move and waited for her calf that had been struck.
“She had to be captured as she appeared to be mourning the loss of her young,” he said to Malaysia Gazette.
Images and videos circulating on social media showed the heartbreaking scene, with the calf crushed under the truck while the mother elephant fought to free it.
Yusoff added that the mother elephant was safely rescued by Perhilitan officers and would be released back into a secure and suitable natural habitat. – May 11, 2025