A mother's grief, a nation's wake-up call

FEMALE elephants have a gestation period of approximately 22 months and usually give birth to just one calf at a time. The emotional bond between mother and calf is profound, and the loss of a calf is nothing short of devastating. This is why the recent incident on Mother's Day along the Gerik-Jeli highway has touched so many – a mother elephant seen grieving by her fatally injured calf is a poignant and painful image that speaks volumes about the cost of our inaction.

This heartbreaking event is not isolated. It underscores the urgent need for improved wildlife protection measures along the Gerik-Jeli highway, a known hotspot for wildlife crossings. Conservationists and concerned members of the public have long been calling for stricter enforcement of speed limits, improved lighting, and most critically, the construction of wildlife crossings to reduce fatal accidents involving endangered species. There is already one dedicated wildlife viaduct along this highway but more such infrastructure is urgently needed here to support safe passage for wild animals.