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If you've been scrolling through social media lately, you may have come across photos and videos of an elephant being transported on a boat across Tasik Kenyir
That elephant is none other than Sulong Chalil, a wild male elephant who captured Malaysians' hearts after he was repeatedly spotted wandering along the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway alone late last month.
Sulong is believed to have originated from Kampung Chalil in Gua Musang, Kelantan
The wild elephant had reportedly been entering plantations and posing a potential danger to local residents, prompting the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) to relocate him to a forested area in Gerik, Perak.
However, on 17 August, just days after his relocation, Sulong was spotted walking along the Gerik-Jeli highway, prompting many Malaysians to speculate that he was trying to make his way back to his original habitat in Kelantan.
Many others also noticed an injury to his front right leg and were concerned for his safety. Photos and videos of the lone elephant quickly went viral.
@qhaiidries Gajah Sulong (Sulong Chalil) saat ini berada di kawasan Banjaran Titiwangsa,ia sedang berjalan kaki menempuh perjalanan pulang dari Gerik, Perak, menuju habitat asalnya di Kampung Chalil, Gua Musang, Kelantan. Jarak dari Gerik ke Gua Musang via jalur darat memotong Banjaran Titiwangsa adalah sekitar 233 km – 235 km. Gajah Sulong diperkirakan sudah berjalan kaki sejauh 40 hingga 50 kilometer meninggalkan titik pelepasannya di Gerik. Gajah jantan liar ini ditangkap oleh pihak Perhilitan di Gua Musang untuk memitigasi konflik satwa. Ia kemudian dipindahkan dan dilepaskan ke kawasan hutan di Gerik, Perak pada awal Agustus 2026. Berdasarkan naluri alaminya yang kuat, Gajah Sulong menolak menetap di Gerik dan memilih berjalan balik menyusuri rute Lebuhraya Timur-Barat (Gerik–Jeli) yang memotong Banjaran Titiwangsa. Kaki depan Gajah Sulong mengalami luka parah, diduga akibat ikatan rantai yang terlalu ketat saat proses relokasi awal. Pihak berwenang dan tim penyelamat dilaporkan terus memantau pergerakan serta kondisi kesehatan satwa ini selama ia bermigrasi kembali melewati jalur Titiwangsa. Go go SULONG CHALIL… 100KM LAGI #fyp #tiktok #viral #viral_video #sulongchalil ♬ original sound – qhaiidries
@lieyna_shop Tiap kali fyp video Sulong sebak rasa dada.Kuatnya semangat sulong…Sy nk jadi sekuat sulong, berjuang selagi mampu, sampai ke tidak ke destinasi biar Allah yg tentukan😭😭😭
♬ PadaMu Ku Berserah (Concert Version) – Ichihana
@pokdik415 #selamatsampai ##sulong##fyp ♬ الصوت الأصلي – mustafa
On 25 August, PERHILITAN confirmed that it was monitoring Sulong's movements and was trying to herd him back into the forest
The department said herding and monitoring operations were being carried out twice daily, and motorists were advised to slow down around the Titiwangsa R&R area and avoid stopping to photograph or feed the elephant.
Despite his injury, PERHILITAN said Sulong was still eating and moving normally, while his wound showed signs of recovery.
The department also clarified that an adult male elephant moving alone is normal behaviour and does not necessarily mean that it has been separated from its herd or is searching for its family.
However, with Sulong continuing to roam near the highway, PERHILITAN eventually decided that recapturing him was the safest option
On 30 August, after assessing Sulong's health and the safety risks involved, PERHILITAN successfully recaptured him for relocation.
The relocation operation was carried out on 1 September, with assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police and two trained decoy elephants, Rambai and Cheri, to help Sulong get onto the boat.
As part of the journey to his new habitat, Sulong was transported by houseboat through Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu, which explains the striking photos of the elephant standing on a boat that have been circulating online.
PERHILITAN said Sulong was also given veterinary treatment during the operation, adding that the injury to his right leg was showing positive improvement.
On 2 September, Sulong was successfully relocated to Taman Negara Terengganu via Tasik Kenyir, a natural forest habitat suitable for wild elephants.
PERHILITAN said the relocation was carried out to give Sulong a safer environment to live in while reducing the risk of human-elephant conflict and road accidents.
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And now, Sulong is finally somewhere safe
After weeks of being spotted along a busy highway, Sulong has been moved to a natural forest habitat where he can be monitored and continue receiving treatment for his injured leg.
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