KUANTAN: The catastrophic floods in the Pahang state capital has not only affected humans but also displaced wildlife.
Several video clips, which went viral yesterday, showed a pair of Malayan tapirs roaming in floodwaters near Bukit Rangin Perdana here.
The pair, believed to be an adult tapir with its offspring, appeared lost as they waded through the murky floodwaters near a stretch of parked vehicles at the settlement before beating an escape upon realising the presence of humans.
In another 30-second clip, the mammals were seen wandering through the shallow floodwaters looking for food near a concrete wall. They fled after becoming aware of the presence of the individual recording the video.
In another video uploaded on Facebook, the animals were seen braving neck-deep flood waters in front of a row of houses.
Pahang Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Rozidan Md Yasin said the department received a report and has deployed its personnel to inspect the housing settlement.
"We have been monitoring the tapirs and they appear to have fled towards a forested and hilly area behind Bukit Rangin. The animals may have strayed into the settlement in search of food.
"Those who notice wild animals roaming in their neighborhood should immediately alert the department and we will deploy our personnel to either chase them away or capture them," he said
It is learnt that endangered species had previously been spotted near the forest area along the Kuantan bypass stretch not far from Bukit Rangin.