Overview

• A baby elephant was fatally struck by a truck on Malaysia's East-West Highway on Mother’s Day, with its mother standing vigil in a widely shared video.
• The footage, shared by athlete AJ Pyro, sparked public outcry over the risks posed to wildlife by roads cutting through natural habitats.
• Malaysian officials have announced plans to expand wildlife sanctuaries, build dedicated road crossings, and establish natural corridors to prevent future tragedies.
• Eight elephants have died in road collisions in Peninsular Malaysia over the past five years, with three fatalities occurring in 2025 alone.
• The highway traverses the Belum-Temenggor forest reserve, a critical area for elephants and the endangered Malayan tiger, intensifying calls for urgent action.