Tapirs top roadkill list in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA - The Malayan tapir tops the list of large mammals most frequently killed in road accidents in Malaysia.

According to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan),112 Malayan tapirs were struck down by vehicles from 2020 to 2024.

Sun bears and black panthers were second with nine deaths each.

They are followed by Asian elephants (six deaths) and Malayan tigers (four deaths).

Each of the five types of large mammals – the Malayan tapir, sun bear, lack panther, Asian elephant and Malayan tiger – is considered an endangered species in Malaysia.

“Many of these incidents are linked to recent deforestation or land-use change that leads to habitat fragmentation.

“The reduction in habitat size compels wildlife to encroach into adjacent human-modified landscapes.

“This fragmentation forces wildlife to cross roads to reach other patches to access essential resources such as food, water, shelter, and mating opportunities,” the department told The Star.

An incident on Mothers’ Day, where a mother elephant was seen grieving by her fatally injured calf in the Malaysian state of Perak, along the Gerik-Jeli Highway, touched many people.

It led to growing calls to better protect the country’s wildlife.

In April, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that only around 700 to 800 Malayan tapirs remain in their natural habitats.

Perhilitan said 2,336 wild animals were killed by vehicles nationwide from 2020 to 2024, with 522 wildlife roadkill incidents recorded in 2024.

The department said that in terms of species, the most affected by roadkill incidents over the five year-period are monitor lizards, with 548 struck down.

Second were macaques (487),followed by wild boar (329),civet species (326),and cat species (118).

Perhilitan said ecological factors also contribute to wildlife crossing roads.

“Wildlife may cross roads to escape areas