Mother elephant refuses to leave calf killed in collision that injured driver in Malaysia
A mother elephant reportedly remained beside her calf for hours after the young animal was killed in a road collision in Johor, Malaysia. The incident also left a motorist injured after his vehicle plunged into a ravine following the collision.
- A baby elephant was killed in a road collision in Johor, Malaysia.
- The calf's mother reportedly remained at the scene for about seven hours.
- A driver was injured after his vehicle plunged into a ravine following the collision.
MALAYSIA: A mother elephant reportedly refused to leave her calf for hours after the young animal was killed in a road collision in Johor, Malaysia, in an incident that has drawn widespread attention online.
Videos circulating on social media showed the adult elephant remaining beside the calf's body along Jalan Felda Nitar in Mersing during the early hours of 1 July 2026.
According to Malaysia's Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), the calf died after being struck by a vehicle at around 2.28 am.
The incident also left a motorist injured after his vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a ravine following the collision.
Driver rescued after vehicle plunges into ravine
Malaysia's Fire and Rescue Department said a 31-year-old local man became trapped inside his Perodua Bezza after the vehicle left the roadway and fell approximately five metres into a ravine.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call shortly after the incident.
Rescuers used specialised equipment to free the driver before transporting him to Mersing Hospital for treatment.
Authorities said the man suffered injuries to his leg.
Calf identified as part of local elephant group
Johor PERHILITAN said it received a report regarding the incident at approximately 8.30 am and dispatched officers to conduct an investigation.
Officials found that the dead calf was believed to be a female elephant around five years old.
The animal was identified as belonging to the Jamaluang-Mersing elephant population, a known group inhabiting the surrounding area.
Wildlife officers recorded the calf's body measurements and confirmed that it did not have tusks.
Mother elephant remained for about seven hours
According to PERHILITAN, an adult elephant believed to be the calf's mother remained near the scene when officers arrived.
Viral footage showed the elephant standing close to the calf and appearing reluctant to leave.
Authorities said a specialist Elephant Capture Unit from the Johor Elephant Sanctuary was deployed to assist in guiding the animal away from the area and back into nearby forest.
The calf's remains were later buried near the scene.
Wildlife officers said they planned to continue patrols in the area to monitor the mother elephant and prevent her from returning to the location.
Area known for elephant crossings
PERHILITAN noted that warning signs alerting motorists to elephant crossings had already been installed along the road.
Officials advised drivers to exercise caution when travelling through the area, particularly at night when visibility is reduced.
The department said the road forms part of a recognised elephant movement corridor.
Similar tragedy drew attention in 2025
The incident has drawn comparisons to another widely publicised elephant collision in Gerik in May 2025.
In that case, a young elephant became trapped beneath a container lorry after being struck on a highway.
Videos shared online at the time showed an adult elephant, believed to be the calf's mother, attempting to push the lorry and reach the trapped animal.
The footage prompted widespread discussion about human-wildlife conflict, habitat fragmentation and the growing risks faced by elephants near roads and highways.
Conservationists have repeatedly warned that vehicle collisions remain a significant threat to wild elephant populations as development increasingly overlaps with traditional wildlife corridors.
