KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry is intensifying efforts to address the alarming rise in wildlife roadkill incidents, with more than 2,300 cases recorded nationwide between 2020 and 2024.
The East-West Highway linking Gerik, Perak, and Jeli, Kelantan, has been identified as one of the deadliest stretches for wildlife.
“Protecting both human and wildlife safety on our roads is a shared responsibility. We must act now with practical, whole-of-society solutions to reduce roadkill and improve road safety,” the ministry said in a statement Tuesday (Aug 12)
"The Ministry on July 17 through the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and WWF-Malaysia, convened a High-Level Roundtable to identify urgent infrastructure measures for safer roads along the East-West Highway.
"The session gathered 60 stakeholders from key ministries, state governments, NGOs, the private sector, highway concessionaires, and the Selangor and Federal Territory Engineering & Motor Vehicle Parts Traders Association (EMPTA)" it said.
The Ministry said short-term measures proposed include strengthening legislation, installing eco-friendly signboards, raising driver awareness, and encouraging responsible road behaviour.
"Medium and long-term solutions involve habitat enrichment, improving forest connectivity, and preserving existing wildlife crossings.
The ministry said these measures are being reinforced in conjunction with World Elephant Day (WED), celebrated annually on Aug 12, in line with the National Elephant Conservation Action Plan (NECAP 2.0).
As part of WED 2025, WWF-Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Agreement with EMPTA to promote road safety and reduce wildlife roadkill, involving transport companies, logistics providers, and other stakeholders in encouraging safe driving through ecological zones.
“World Elephant Day 2025 is an opportunity to strengthen public awareness of wildlife conservation, including elephants, and rally multi-stakeholder support to safeguard them for present and future generations,” added the ministry.
