Malaysia: Mother Elephant Grieves, Tries To Move Truck After Vehicle Kills Calf; Disturbing Video Leaves Netizens In Tears

While the world celebrated Mother’s Day with flowers, cards, and warm embraces, one mother in the wild was living a nightmare — and her heartbreak has left thousands in tears.

A deeply emotional video surfaced online on Sunday, showing a mother elephant in Malaysia grieving the tragic loss of her baby, after the calf was killed by a speeding lorry while the little one was attempting to cross the East-West Highway near Gerik, Perak.

Watch video

A baby Elephant has been killed by a lorry whilst attempting to cross the East-West Highway near Gerik, Perak.

Moments later, its mother emerged from the forest, displaying visible distress and refusing to leave her baby's side.

No mother should have to suffer like this.

🎦… pic.twitter.com/7BaW4NpgM3

— PROTECT ALL WILDLIFE (@Protect_Wldlife) May 11, 2025

The one-minute video captured the mother elephant trembling in grief and trying to pull the calf out. She is seen emerging from the forest moments after the accident, rushing to her calf’s rescue. She wildly nudges the vehicle and tries to push the truck away, only to realise later that her efforts would not bring back her lost baby.

According to local media, the elephant didn't step back until sunrise. People tried to shoo away the jumbo, but it refused to leave its calf alone. It kept trying its best to move the vehicle and bring back its little one.

The disturbing video, which is now going viral, filmed her refusal to leave, her body language heavy with sorrow. It captured what words could not: the unbearable grief of a mother losing her child.

Noting that the clip surfaced online on Mother's Day, it received even more reactions. Netizens on platforms like X poured out their emotions. “No mother should have to suffer like this,” one person wrote. Others called it "heartbreaking" and wrote, "Poor mama, I feel her grief".

The internet was in tears as they watched the viral video.