Drive carefully to avoid crossing animals on highways, says Perhilitan

KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has urged motorists to drive carefully during the Hari Raya holiday to avoid collisions with crossing wildlife.

"Road accidents involving wildlife occurs when the wildlife tries to cross the road or highway built across forested areas," said Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim at a press conference on Friday (June 8).

Abdul Kadir warned motorists to be vigilant, especially at night, as several wildlife are nocturnal.

He also advised motorists to not exceed speed limits, and to look out for wildlife crossing signs.

"In addition, it is advisable that drivers do not perform provocative acts such as sounding the horn or using high beams, as it risks provoking wildlife such as elephants to attack you," said Abdul Kadir.

Based on Perhilitan's statistics, a total of 2,444 wildlife have been victim to roadkill from 2012 to 2017.

Over the period, monitor lizards recorded the highest number of roadkill at 764, followed by civets (446), monkeys (439), boars (265), snakes (147), wild cats (88).

Threatened wildlife species that have been victims of roadkill are tapirs (69), sun bears (6), elephants (4), mountain goats (2), panthers (2) and tiger (1).