Critically Endangered Malayan Tiger Killed On The Road Was Pregnant With Two Cubs
The tiger was hit by a car heading to Kuala Terengganu.
By Sadho Ram — 06 Feb 2016, 09:00 PM
Malaysia's national animal, the Malayan tiger, is listed as Critically Endangered. Its estimated population of 250 continues to decline.
And earlier on Saturday, 6 February, in what can only be described as tragic, one of the harimau was hit and killed by a multi-purpose vehicle while crossing the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2).
The incident was believed to have occurred at about 1.00am as the tiger tried to cross the road before it was hit by the Kuala Terengganu-bound MPV from Kuala Lumpur.
State Public Order and Traffic chief Supt Kamaluddin Mohamad, who confirmed the incident, said the driver and three passengers in the vehicle were unhurt.
malaysiakini.com
The fatal accident caused the tiger massive internal injuries, rupturing its liver and leaving its hind legs broken. The tiger may have been 10 to 15-years-old, The Star Online reported.
It is believed that the tiger tried to cross the highway before being hit by an MPV.
Image via A Fortress Of Fur/FacebookWhat's more saddening is that the tiger was pregnant
The tiger was pregnant, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) confirmed. Perhilitan Terengganu director Mohd Hasdi Husin told The Star that a post-mortem performed on the tiger found two dead fetuses.
"There were two fetuses about two months old, outside the uterus, which was broken because of the accident," he said over the phone on Saturday.
"I am very, very sad. Next time, hopefully this kind of accident will not happen again."
