Malaysians call for more wildlife protection measures after elephant tragedy
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A video circulating online shows the mother elephant with her head pressed against the side of the lorry, as if to free her calf which lay unmoving beneath the vehicle.
PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM BULETIN MALAYSIA/FACEBOOK
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PETALING JAYA - Malaysians are urging for increased wildlife protection after a mother elephant refused to leave her calf
A video of the incident went viral on Mother’s Day, moving many netizens to tears.
Some tagged Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi in their posts.
“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,” wrote Mr Titanium Samarium Wong on Facebook, noting elephants’ intelligence.
“They have feelings; just imagine a mother losing her child. I felt so sad to see the mother elephant staying at the scene, refusing to leave.
“Authorities really have to do something to minimise this kind of incident. For the sake of humanity, I can’t bear to see things like this again,” he added.
“My heart aches every time I watch this in the media,” wrote Ms Zue Razak, adding a crying emoji.
The elephant had “attacked” the lorry trying to free its calf, which was pinned by the vehicle, and had to be sedated and removed by wildlife officials
English daily New Straits Times reported that the mother elephant has since returned to the forest and that the male calf’s carcass has been buried.
The Gerik-Jeli stretch on the highway is known for wildlife crossings, especially elephants, with signboards reminding drivers to slow down.
Ms Evelin Ruman urged the authorities to build highways or overpasses for wildlife crossings, while Ms Lau Sook Mei called for speed limits in areas with elephant crossings.
“In areas where wild animals are known to roam and cross, why not build a crossing and install railings so the animals won’t stray onto the road?” wrote Mr M Tirmizi MY, urging ministers to “do something”.
Ms June Thien YC suggested installing more speed cameras near wildlife areas.
“What action will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future? What steps are being taken to reduce animal-vehicle collisions or even stop them?” asked Ms Vemanna Appannah.
Many also called for action against the driver, who claimed the calf had suddenly darted out of the forest. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
