Adult female tapir dies in suspected hit-and-run on Dungun road

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Wildlife authorities in Terengganu are investigating the death of an adult female tapir following a suspected hit-and-run collision on the Dungun road. The animal, which weighed approximately 200 kilograms, was found deceased at the scene, with evidence suggesting it had been struck by a vehicle.

Tapirs are large, nocturnal mammals native to Southeast Asia and are increasingly found crossing main roads, particularly during evening hours when visibility is reduced. The species is protected under Malaysian wildlife laws, and incidents involving the animals on roadways have become a recurring issue in several states.

Accidents involving wildlife on roads typically occur when animals venture onto thoroughfares in search of food or during migration patterns. The Dungun road incident adds to a growing list of similar collisions reported in recent years across Peninsular Malaysia, drawing calls from conservation groups for increased road safety measures in wildlife-prone areas.

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution in regions known to be habitats for large wildlife, particularly during dawn and dusk hours when animals are most active. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing, with authorities seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the collision.