Baby elephant dies after collision with car in Johor

PETALING JAYA: A baby elephant died after it was hit by a car near Mersing, Johor, early this morning.

A video of an adult elephant lingering at the accident scene, believed to be the calf’s mother, has gone viral on social media.

Harian Metro reported that a car collided with the baby elephant before skidding into a 5m-deep ravine near Kampung Pengkalan Bukit Asli.

Mersing fire and rescue station chief Alias Hussin said the 31-year-old driver was travelling towards Kluang when the accident occurred.

The driver, who was trapped in the vehicle, was extricated by a rescue team. He suffered injuries to both legs and was sent to Mersing Hospital for treatment.

In May 2025, a baby elephant died in a collision with a lorry on the East-West Highway when it suddenly crossed the road.

Police said a larger elephant, believed to be the mother, flew into a rage and destroyed the front of the lorry. The driver was uninjured.

Netizens posted videos of the mother elephant, which they said patiently waited until daybreak for its child to be removed from under the lorry.