Fringe tracks for wildlife on Malaysian highways

Simon Khoo The Star 14 Aug 10;

TEMERLOH: The Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is looking for suitable fringe tracks along highways throughout the country for wild animals to roam about.

Its director-general Datuk Abdul Rashid Shamsuddin said these tracks were necessary to prevent wild animals from straying onto the highways to cross over.

”We need to open up some paths near overhead bridges along highways to save these animals from being mowed down by passing vehicles.

”Besides, the unexpected presence of wild animals on the highways may lead to accidents and a danger to road users.

”One such path we have constructed is the 30km-long stretch starting in Gua Musang, Kelantan to Kuala Berang, Terengganu,” he said, after closing a course for tourist guides in Felda Jenderak Selatan, Kuala Krau recently.

Abdul Rashid said the cost for these paths was expensive, Perhilitan was looking at other ways to reduce cost.

He said these wild animals would stray onto highways between midnight and before dawn and many ended up dead.

”Some of these animals are endangered and it’s such a pity if they are killed by speeding vehicles.”

”Among other locations earmarked are Gerik to Jeli and Gua Musang to Cameron Highlands which recorded frequent movements of wild animals,” he said.

On a separate development, Abdul Rashid said about 600 wild elephants were posing a threat, destroying crops and plants mostly in Pahang, Perak and Johor.

He said these wild elephants which were violent would be caught and released in Taman Negara in Pahang, Tasik Kenyir in Terengganu and Belum forest reserve in Perak.

”However, the relocation of wild elephants to these three areas is no longer conducive as it is already too crowded and there is not enough food for them,” he said, adding that Perhilitan was also in the process of looking for new sites to house these giant animals.

He said the Krau forest reserve with an area of 63,000ha was one of the likely sites as it was located not far from the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Lanchang.

”As a temporary measure, Perhilitan officers would chase these wild elephants into nearby forest if they are found to be in conflict with villagers by trespassing into their plantations.”

”But this move would only be short term as these wild elephants would return weeks later to look for food,” he said.

He said villagers are reminded not to act on their own but to alert Perhilitan officers immediately to trap these wild elephants.