Panther killed in road accident

An adult male panther weighing 40kg died after a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) hit the animal while it was crossing the road in Seremban yesterday.

The accident occurred at KM19, Jalan Seremban-Simpang Pertang, near Bukit Tangga.

Jelebu district police chief Maslan Udin said a 38-year-old man was driving a Honda Odyssey MPV with his family travelling from Seremban to Kuala Klawang when the incident occurred at 2pm.

"As the vehicle was making a right turn down the hill, a panther suddenly crossed from the right side of the road, causing the man to hit the animal as he had no time to swerve.

"As a result, the panther managed to make its way to a nearby drain about 4m away but died at that location. The man and his family did not suffer any injuries," he said in a statement.

The panther’s remains were handed over to the Negeri Sembilan Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for further action.

Videos of the incident had gone viral on social media earlier yesterday.

- Bernama

COMMENT | Will Selangor Harapan save a precious forest?

2,000-plus wildlife killed on the roads due to deforestation

LETTER | Time for decisive measures to minimise human-wildlife conflict

Orang Asli community living in fear after spotting tiger footprints