Injured elephant believed to be making 300km journey back towards former habitat after relocation in Malaysia, gaining public sympathy

MALAYSIA: An injured wild elephant named Sulong Chalil has drawn widespread sympathy after reportedly travelling more than 300 kilometres through northern Malaysia in what appears to be an attempt to return to its former habitat in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

The adult male elephant was relocated from Gua Musang to a forested area near Gerik in the northern state of Perak after residents had complained about elephants entering plantations and posing a potential danger to communities, according to The Star.

Sulong was subsequently spotted along roads in Gerik, with images and videos of the elephant circulating on social media and prompting members of the public to follow its journey.

Elephant spotted on highway after relocation

According to The Star, members of the public began encountering an elephant walking along the East-West Highway in Gerik on 17 August, several days after the animal had been relocated.

The elephant was later identified by some members of the public as Sulong Chalil.

A Facebook post by user Mohd Fadli Salleh said Sulong appeared to be travelling in the direction of Gua Musang, where it had previously lived.

The name “Chalil” reportedly comes from the village in Gua Musang where Sulong was raised.

People who encountered the elephant reportedly said it did not display aggressive behaviour and instead continued walking along the route.

PERHILITAN monitoring injured elephant

Malaysia's Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) has been monitoring an adult male wild elephant with an injury to its right front leg after it was spotted along the East-West Highway in Gerik.

PERHILITAN Perak said the elephant's physical condition and behaviour remained normal, and that it was still able to eat and move properly.

The wound on its front leg had also become drier and was showing signs of recovery.

The department has been carrying out operations to guide the elephant back towards forested areas while monitoring its movements and condition.

However, the elephant has continued returning to the highway, prompting PERHILITAN Perak to maintain monitoring and guiding operations twice a day, during the daytime and at night.

Social media users hope elephant reaches home safely

Sulong's journey has prompted an outpouring of concern online, with social media users expressing hope that the elephant can safely make its way back to Gua Musang.

Some users have also speculated that the injury to Sulong's right front leg may have been caused by an iron chain during its relocation. The claim has not been confirmed by PERHILITAN.

For now, PERHILITAN continues to monitor Sulong as it repeatedly moves between the highway and surrounding forested areas.