The Malayan Tiger shares an especially close bond with Malaysians and our sense of national identity. But that comes as to no surprise, given how often the majestic creature has been featured in so many local cultural touchpoints, from our national flag-bearing football team Harimau Malaya, to the striped tiger featured prominently on the logo of one of the country’s largest banking institutions, Maybank, and of course, the proud emblem that adorns every car manufactured by PROTON.
Wild tiger gets struck by car in Kelantan
Unfortunately, one of these incredible creatures appears to have been the victim of an accident recently, after a car had allegedly ran into it while it was attempting to cross an unlit road in the middle of the dark. In dashcam footage that was shared through community Facebook group 我们是马来西亚人 We are Malaysians, the vehicle can be seen travelling along the dark stretch before its headlights caught the shape of a sprinting tiger.
Unable to avoid the massive feline in time, the car struck the tiger by its side, before coming to a complete stop. While the impact appears to have shove the tiger back, it then leapt quickly upon its own feet before pouncing away into the other end of the wilderness, disappearing into the dark.
The incident reportedly took place yesterday (7th July 2022) along Jalan Tok Bok in the state of Kelantan, although the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks has not issued any formal statement on the matter.
Netizens raise concern for the tiger’s condition
Many netizens have expressed their concern for the creature’s safety, in light of the sheer force of impact that it had sustained during the accident.
“The tiger likely ran towards the road due to the car’s headlights. While it may look like it’s fine. I hope that it did not sustain any internal injuries that may kill it.”
“May the authorities keep a lookout of the areas closest to the site of the accident. I’m worried the tiger could have been injured.”
“May the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks please help take a look into this matter, it could be injured. By right, drivers shouldn’t be speeding in quiet and dark parts of the jungle.”
This incident comes shortly after four tiger cubs were reportedly spotted in the wild with their mother according to WWF Malaysia, sparking renewed hopes that the critically endangered species could be saved from the brink of total extinction. As of 2022, the tiger population in Peninsula Malaysia numbers at less than 150.
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