INTERACTIVE: The Malayan Tapir tops big mammals wildlife roadkill in Malaysia

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI

PETALING JAYA: The Malayan tapir has been the most frequently killed large mammals on Malaysian roads for the past five years, says Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

According to Perhilitan, from 2020 to 2024, 112 Malayan tapirs were killed in road accidents nationwide, followed by sun bear and black panther with nine deaths each, Asian elephant with six, and Malayan tigers with four.

In 2024 alone, 25 Malayan tapirs died from vehicle impacts, along with six sun bears, four black panthers, three Malayan tigers and two Asian elephants.



In total, 2,336 wild animals were killed by vehicles nationwide during the five-year period, with 522 wildlife roadkill incidents recorded last year.

Pahang topped the list of cumulative wildlife fatalities (2020-2024) with 779 cases, followed by Perak (418), Johor (232), Terengganu (195) and Kelantan (195).

However, Kelantan recorded the most wildlife-vehicle incidents last year with 137 cases, ahead of Pahang (119) and Perak (115).

The most commonly affected species in roadkill incidents recorded over the past five years (2020-2024) are monitor lizard (548), macaque (487), civet species (326), wild boar (329) and cat species (118).

According to Perhilitan, wildlife-vehicle collisions in Malaysia are increasingly driven by rapid land-use changes and habitat fragmentation.

“Many of these incidents are linked to recent deforestation or land-use change that lead to
habitat fragmentation. Reduction in habitat size compels wildlife to encroach into adjacent human-modified landscapes.

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

The department added that ecological factors also contribute to wildlife crossing roads.

“Wildlife may cross roads to escape areas with high human activity, noise, or pollution.

“The presence of roads may alter their behavior, leading them to seek new, less disturbed habitats even if they have to risk their lives crossing busy roads

While there is no consistent pattern across specific months or breeding seasons, the time of day does play a significant role.

Most wildlife-vehicle collisions occur at night or in areas with poor visibility, such as sharp bends or winding roads.

Perhilitan attributed this to the nocturnal behavior of most wildlife, making them less visible and more challenging for motorists to detect during nighttime driving conditions.

“These incidents are largely preventable,” the department added, urging drivers to adhere strictly to speed limits, especially when passing through known wildlife hotspots.

Slower speeds can significantly reduce collision risk and give motorists more reaction time when animals suddenly appear on the road.

Perhilitan has implemented measures to reduce wildlife roadkills, including wildlife crossing warning signs, solar-powered amber lights, and transverse bars to slow vehicles.

They also rescue and relocate wildlife to more suitable habitats and have built wildlife crossing viaducts in selected locations in collaboration with the Public Works Department (JKR).

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