CHUKAI: A total of 2,361 wild animals have been killed by vehicles nationwide since 2020, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said Pahang was the state with the highest recorded number of animal deaths on roads with 765, followed by Perak (478), Kelantan (224), Terengganu (201) and Negri Sembilan (187).
"Eight elephants were killed – one in 2020, two each in 2021 and 2024, and three deaths this year (including the death of the baby elephant on Sunday (May 11)).
"There is a slight increase in deaths of Malayan Tigers. None were recorded from 2020 to 2022 but there was one in 2023, three in 2024 and one so far in 2025," he told reporters after a vehicle enforcement operation here on Monday (May 12).
He said the government conducts various initiatives to curb wildlife deaths on roads, including an increased allocation of RM250mil for 2025 to enable state governments to increase forest reserve areas and also to create more elephant sanctuaries in Johor, Pahang, Perak and Terengganu.
A video of a baby elephant killed by a lorry and its mother attempting to move the lorry to save it went viral on social media on Sunday.
In other developments, Nik Nazmi said as of March this year, 90,024 vehicles were inspected under Ops Gerak, with 248 compound notices issued for various offences.
Ops Gerak was conducted to ensure compliance in terms of exhaust emissions and noise levels.
"In today's operation, 21 vehicles were inspected, including diesel and petrol lorries, vans and motorcycles. One vehicle was issued a compound notice for excessive noise," he said. – Bernama
