MOTHER’S Day is often a celebration of love, sacrifice and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.
But in 2025, while families across Malaysia marked the occasion with joy, the nation witnessed a heartbreaking reminder that this bond exists in the wild too.
In the early hours of May 11, 2025, a baby elephant calf was killed after being struck by a lorry along the Gerik-Jeli Highway.
The sight of the grieving mother refusing to leave her calf’s side, desperately trying to push the lorry away, moved many Malaysians to tears and sparked widespread calls for stronger protection for wildlife.
The tragedy became more than just an accident; it was a painful reflection of the challenges elephants faced on our roads that cuts through their natural habitats.
In response, WWF-Malaysia, together with Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and Perhilitan, co-organised a roundtable discussion on safer roads for both humans and wildlife along the Gerik-Jeli Highway, bringing together key stakeholders to work towards long-term solutions to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this year, many Malaysians are once again reminded of the deep emotional lives of elephants, animals known for their strong family ties and maternal instincts.
In recent weeks, public attention has turned to the transfer of three elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – from Taiping Zoo to Tennoji Zoo.
The move has sparked widespread concern and emotional reactions from the public, particularly regarding the welfare and long-term well-being of the elephants in captivity.
WWF-Malaysia believes that all wildlife should remain in their natural habitat and we do not support the removal of elephants from the wild for captive use.
Efforts should instead focus on addressing the challenges elephants face in their natural environment, including habitat fragmentation, human-elephant conflict and poaching.
When the idea of “orangutan diplomacy” to palm oil trading countries was brought up in 2024, WWF-Malaysia similarly stood firm that the best way to showcase Malaysia’s commitment to orangutan conservation is to conserve any remaining natural forests that are habitats for orangutans.
However, WWF-Malaysia recognises that in certain circumstances, action to move elephants out of their natural habitats may be unavoidable.
This includes cases involving rescued orphaned elephants that cannot be released back into the wild or situations of severe human–elephant conflict resulting in loss of human life or significant property damage.
In such instances, these elephants are likely to remain in captivity in the foreseeable future and necessary measures must be taken to protect their well-being and provide for their long-term support and care.
In the case of Dara, Amoi and Kelat being transferred to Tennoji Zoo, we are not privy to the circumstances that led to this decision.
WWF-Malaysia’s position is that we do not support the translocation of elephants unless there is sufficient evidence that such translocation is absolutely necessary to protect their well-being.
We stand firm that the welfare and protection of the three elephants must not be compromised and must be in alignment with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare. This includes adequate space for the free movement of the elephants as well as appropriate enrichment and food.
We are truly heartened by the strong public sentiment, care and concern for our elephants.
In WWF-Malaysia, our work continues across Malaysia to protect elephants and other threatened species by, safeguarding and restoring habitats and wildlife corridors, reducing human-wildlife conflict, supporting enforcement and conservation policies and working with partners on science-based conservation efforts.
WWF-Malaysia remains committed to the protection and welfare of wildlife and believes that every species deserves care, respect and safeguarding.
As we reflect on these efforts, we are also reminded of the deep bond between mothers and their young in the wild, especially among elephants, where that connection is both powerful and enduring.
In that spirit, we wish all mothers a meaningful and Happy Mother’s Day.
WWF-Malaysia
