On Saturday, a baby pygmy elephant was killed after it was hit by a car at the Lahad Datu-Sandakan road at around 2:16 am.
According to FMT, Lahad Datu’s wildlife officer, Sylvester Saimin said the baby elephant was killed instantly after the crash, “It is believed that the driver suffered no injuries,” he told reporters.
“However, the front of his vehicle was severely damaged.”
Photo via Free Malaysia Today
It is believed that the elephant suddenly crossed the road and the driver could not avoid hitting the wild animal.
The Lahad Datu Wildlife Department then conducted a post-mortem examination before burying the carcass.
In case you don’t know, the pygmy elephant, also called the Bornean elephant is a subspecies of Asian elephants and is usually found in Borneo, in Indonesia and Malaysia!
They’re very, very special! According to Global Conservation, there are around 1,500 pygmy elephants left in the wild and this species is currently threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation and hunting and poaching.
So, if you’re driving on a highway and see the animal crossing signs, please slow down in case any wild animals decide to cross the road.
Drive safe, everyone!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
