JEMPOL: A tapir, weighing almost 200kg, was killed after the mammal was hit by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Jalan Bukit Rokan Barat last night.
District police chief Superintendent Hoo Chang Hook said the incident, which took place at 9.50pm, also involved a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Hoo said preliminary investigations showed a 19-year-old man, who was driving the SUV, was heading to Pahang from Melaka when the tapir crossed his path.
The driver tried to avoid the tapir but failed before his SUV crashed into the animal.
"The SUV also dragged the animal before veering off to the right side of the road and then grazing a Toyota Hilux coming from the opposite direction.
"The SUV that lost control ended up in a ditch," he said, adding that the drivers of both vehicles were unharmed during the incident.
He added that the tapir's carcass was later collected by the Wildlife and National Parks Department.
"The cause of the accident was due to the animal crossing the road," Hoo said.