On what should have been a day to celebrate mothers, a heartbreaking scene unfolded in Malaysia near the Belum-Temengor forest reserve. A five-year-old baby elephant, weighing around 700kg, was tragically struck and killed by a truck in the early hours of Mother’s Day.
The young elephant had suddenly dashed onto the road. The 28-year-old truck driver couldn’t stop in time. In an instant, the little life was lost.
But what happened next moved everyone who witnessed it — and now, thousands online.
The baby’s mother, who had seen the entire tragedy unfold, ran to the truck in distress. With all her strength, she pushed against the vehicle, as if trying to save her baby. When she realized it was too late, she did what any heartbroken mother would do — she stayed.
Through the night, the mother elephant stood by her lifeless calf. She touched its body gently with her trunk, over and over, as if hoping to wake it up from a long sleep. She refused to leave. Her grief was as loud as silence, and as deep as the forest around her.
Traffic halted for over two hours, but no one honked. No one complained. They simply watched, in sorrow and awe, as a mother mourned her child.
Eventually, wildlife officers arrived. With great care, they sedated the grieving mother and moved her to a safe area, where she will be monitored before being returned to the wild. Her baby will be buried with respect.
This story has since gone viral, stirring hearts across the world. Many are now urging for stronger protections for wildlife crossings and better road safety near nature reserves.
Because whether human or animal — a mother’s love is fierce, selfless, and eternal.
