20-1-2025 (KUALA LUMPUR) A family’s routine journey turned into a heart-stopping ordeal when they found themselves surrounded by a herd of wild elephants on Malaysia’s East-West Highway, highlighting the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife interactions in the region.
The incident, which occurred on 18 January near the Pulau Banding area, saw 30-year-old Nur Izzatie Zulkifli and her family members trapped in their vehicle as seven elephants emerged from the dense forest, bringing their car to an abrupt halt.
“The vehicle shook like a cradle,” recounted Ms Zulkifli, describing the terrifying moments when the massive creatures encircled their car. “We genuinely feared the car might overturn when the elephants charged towards us. They were remarkably aggressive, using their trunks to probe the windows whilst rubbing against the vehicle’s sides.”
The family, travelling from Sungai Petani to Ketereh, included Ms Zulkifli’s 65-year-old father, who experienced respiratory distress during the frightening encounter. Despite being aware of the route’s reputation as an elephant crossing and taking appropriate precautions – including killing the lights and maintaining silence – the family found themselves in a perilous situation.
The incident, which resulted in damage to the vehicle’s front section, has drawn attention from local authorities. Gerik Police Chief Zulkifli Mahmood issued safety guidelines for motorists traversing the highway, emphasising the importance of wildlife awareness.
“Motorists must exercise extreme caution when travelling through these areas,” Chief Mahmood stated. “In the event of an elephant encounter, drivers should immediately stop their vehicles, allow the animals to pass, and avoid any actions that might be perceived as provocative, such as honking or using high-beam lights.”
The incident, captured on video and widely shared across social media platforms, serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human development and wildlife conservation in Malaysia’s forest corridors.
Despite the harrowing experience, Ms Zulkifli expressed gratitude for her family’s safe escape: “Whilst this was our first encounter of this nature, we’re thankful everyone emerged unscathed.”
@hakimzulkiflii Replying to @Kamsiah_Ewa ♬ Dynasty – Official_deku669
