Kuala lumpur: A total of 2,316 wildlife roadkill cases have been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia between 2022 and May this year, including those involving endangered species such as the Malayan tiger, tapir, and Asian elephant. Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim reported that 459 cases were recorded in 2022, followed by 367 in 2023, 522 in 2024, 811 in 2025, and 157 up to May this year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abdul Kadir highlighted that for the Malayan tiger, one case was recorded in 2023, three in 2024, and one in 2025. Roadkill cases for tapirs included 15 in 2022, 25 each in 2023 and 2024, 31 in 2025, and three up to May this year. Cases involving Asian elephants included two in 2021, one in 2022, two in 2024, and five in 2025.
Abdul Kadir explained that roads built through forested areas had disrupted wildlife movement corridors, forcing animals to cross roads in search of food, mates, and safer habitats. He noted that shrinking habitats had reduced natural food sources, causing wildlife to venture onto roads and into agricultural areas, plantations, and residential neighborhoods to survive.
The East-West Highway in Gerik, Perak; the Kota Tinggi-Mersing and Jemaluang-Kota Tinggi roads in Johor; the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2) in Kemaman, Terengganu; and the Kuala Krai-Gua Musang Road in Kelantan have been identified as wildlife roadkill hotspots.
To reduce the risk of wildlife roadkills, Abdul Kadir stated that various mitigation measures are being implemented under the Central Forest Spine (CFS) agenda through cooperation between the federal government, state governments, and highway developers. The CFS is a network of eight forest complexes spanning 6.71 million hectares that forms the backbone of environmentally sensitive areas in Peninsular Malaysia.
He mentioned that the Central Forest Spine Master Plan for Ecological Linkages (PIRECFS) 2022 serves as a long-term guide to ensure development does not sever ecological corridors that serve as natural wildlife movement routes. Measures include the construction of eco-viaducts, underpasses, protective fencing, perimeter fencing, electric fencing, and illuminated warning signboards in high-risk areas to enable wildlife to cross roads more safely while raising motorists' awareness.
"Developers are also required to prepare a Wildlife Management Plan outlining mitigation measures and actions to manage and reduce human-wildlife conflict throughout project implementation," he said. Abdul Kadir concluded that reducing wildlife roadkills requires not only infrastructure development but also public cooperation by refraining from feeding or provoking wildlife.