(MY) roadkill

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Tapir killed while crossing the road - Malay Mail

-by AZMAN ABDUL GHANI -

A TAPIR was killed when it was hit twice — first by a Proton Wira and

then another car — while attempting to cross Jalan Batu Arang-Sungai

Buloh in Puncak Alam yesterday.

 

An army personnel in his 30s, who was driving to Puncak Alam about

6am, was believed to have crashed into the mammal — the size of a calf

— at Km12.

 

The tapir, Tapirus indicus, is listed as an endangered species.

 

It is learnt that after the crash, the adult animal, which was

injured, got up and tried to run across the road.

 

Before it could do so, it was rammed by another vehicle. It died on the spot.

 

The army personnel, however, was not injured in the accident but his

Proton Wira was heavily damaged.

 

He lodged a report at Shah Alam police headquarters at 11am.

 

Shah Alam traffic police chief Deputy Superintendent Norhalid Kimi

said the driver of the other car has yet to lodge a report.

 

The army personnel told police that he did not notice the animal as it

was dark at the time of the incident.

 

Norhalid said the tapir's carcass has been handed over to the Wildlife

Department.

 

Many motorists from Shah Alam heading to Kuala Selangor and Ijok use the road.

 

Previously, the area had several signs warning motorists to beware of

animals crossing the stretch.

 

But the signs were recently removed.

 

Selangor Wildlife Department assistant director Ahmad Azhar Muhammad

said the tapir, an adult female, was believed to be more than three

years old.

 

Its carcass was buried near the road.

 

" We are looking at putting up signboards again to warn motorists and

will monitor the situation, " he said.

 

Ahmad Azhar said that normally, if the animal was not seriously

injured, the department would nurse it back to health at its rescue

centre in Sungai Dusun before releasing it into the wild.