Overview

• A baby elephant was fatally struck by a lorry on the East-West Highway near Gerik, Perak, on May 11, highlighting the dangers faced by wildlife in the area.
• A video showing the mother elephant trembling, grieving, and attempting to rescue her calf has gone viral, eliciting widespread emotional reactions online.
• The incident occurred on Mother’s Day, amplifying public empathy and sparking discussions about the need for better wildlife protection measures.
• The mother elephant remained at the site until sunrise, refusing to leave her calf despite attempts to shoo her away, before being sedated and returned to the forest by wildlife officials.
• The video has reignited calls for the Malaysian government to implement wildlife crossings, stricter speed controls, and other infrastructure to protect animals in known wildlife corridors like the East-West Highway.