Malaysia Already Has Tunnels For Animals To Cross Highways Safely. Here's Why We Need More
It's one way to make highways a little less deadly for wildlife.
Cover image via Malaysia's forests are cut by highways, but animals still need to move around
Our rainforests are home to elephants, tapirs, and other wide-roaming animals. But highways like the WCE and PLUS often slice through their habitats, leaving animals stranded or forcing them to cross busy roads.
Between 2016 and 2021, the Auditor-General's Report recorded 2,562 wildlife roadkill incidents in Peninsular Malaysia, with Pahang reporting the highest numbers.
Alarmingly, between 2023 and 2024, five Malayan tigers were killed in roadkill incidents, a significant number considering there are fewer than 150 left in the wild.
And it's not just tigers — elephants are getting hit too. In May 2025, a baby elephant was killed by a lorry on the East-West Highway in Perak. The mother refused to leave her calf's body, standing guard for hours in a heartbreaking scene.
Just two days later, on 13 May, a couple's car collided with an elephant on the Johor Bahru–Mersing road. Four elephants had suddenly crossed the road, and the driver couldn't avoid hitting one. These tragedies show how deadly our roads can be for wildlife — and why safe crossings are more important than ever.
Image via ASEAN urbanist (Facebook)
That's why wildlife crossings are so important
These underground passages are designed specifically for wildlife, to help animals move safely between forest habitats without ending up as roadkill. Wildlife tunnels are specially built underpasses that let animals safely cross busy roads without coming into contact with vehicles. They reconnect forest areas that have been split by highways, allowing wildlife to move freely in search of food, mates, and shelter.
In Banff National Park, Canada, the implementation of wildlife crossings, combined with fencing, has led to a reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions by more than 80% and Malaysia is hoping to follow suit.
In fact, some areas in Malaysia already have wildlife crossings, but we need more
While there's no centralised public map (yet), here are known locations where wildlife tunnels or underpasses have been reported:
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Gerik–Jeli Highway (Federal Route 4) – Known for elephant underpasses and frequent wildlife crossings
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South Taiping–Bruas (West Coast Expressway) – Culvert tunnel for wildlife built by WCE
- LPT2 Highway (East Coast Expressway Phase 2) – Multiple culverts in Terengganu forest areas
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PLUS Expressway near Sungai Deka, Terengganu – Tunnel crossings for medium-sized animals
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Belum–Temengor Forest Complex (Perak) – Wildlife underpasses designed for large mammals
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Jeli–Kuala Balah road (Kelantan) – Identified wildlife corridors with underpasses
Some of these tunnels are big enough for elephants to use. In places like Gerik and Temengor, large underpasses let elephants pass safely. Camera traps have even recorded wildlife using these crossings — a sign that they actually work.
But it's not just about tunnels, motorists need to be alert too
Even with the best crossings, animals may still end up on the road. That's why you'll sometimes see yellow wildlife warning signs (like the iconic elephant symbol near Gerik) and blinking streetlights in hotspot areas.
Motorists are urged to slow down, especially at night, and respect signs indicating animal crossings. After all, a small pause could save a life.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
Helping wildlife cross roads safely is also helping ourselves
It's not just about protecting animals, it's about safer roads, preserved ecosystems, and long-term coexistence. A little care goes a long way.
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