Lone Malaysian elephant, who went viral for walking 100 km with an injured leg amid traffic to return to his herd, finds new home
For nearly two weeks, a lone injured elephant walking along a busy highway in Malaysia became an unlikely internet sensation. Now Sulong Chalil has a new home, after wildlife officials recaptured him and transported the massive animal by boat to a national park.Sulong, a wild male Asian elephant, first attracted widespread attention in August when motorists began spotting him wandering along a major highway in northern Malaysia. Videos showed the elephant limping along the roadside as vehicles passed by, prompting concern for his safety.The elephant had already been through a major relocation.
Who is Sulong? Why did he go viral?
Sulong was originally living near human settlements and plantations in the Malaysian state of Kelantan, where his presence was becoming a potential source of conflict with local residents. Wildlife authorities captured him and moved him to a forested area roughly 230 kilometres away, in the state of Perak.But Sulong did not stay there for long.Days after being released, he was spotted walking along the highway in the direction of his former habitat. His journey quickly generated speculation that he was attempting to return home.The journey was made more remarkable by an injury to his front right leg, which was clearly visible in videos and photographs shared online. Concern grew as Sulong continued walking despite the wound.Malaysia’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks began closely monitoring him through ground patrols and drones. Officials said Sulong was eating and moving normally and that his wound appeared to be improving. They also urged motorists not to stop near the elephant, feed him or approach him for photographs.While many people interpreted Sulong’s solitary journey as an attempt to find his herd, wildlife officials offered an important clarification: adult male elephants commonly live alone, so his travelling by himself did not necessarily mean he had been separated from his family.Sulong’s repeated appearances near traffic nevertheless presented a serious risk. On August 30, authorities decided to recapture him after assessing his health, location and the danger posed by the highway.This time, officials chose a different destination.The relocation operation took place with the help of police and two trained elephants, Rambai and Cheri. The trained elephants were used to help guide Sulong onto a boat.The striking images that subsequently appeared online showed Sulong standing aboard a houseboat as he was transported across Tasik Kenyir, a vast lake in eastern Malaysia.The unusual boat journey was part of his transfer to Taman Negara Terengganu, one of Malaysia’s major protected rainforest areas. He arrived at the new forest habitat on September 2.The department said the relocation was intended to give Sulong a safer environment while reducing the risk of road accidents and conflict between elephants and humans. He also received veterinary care during the operation, with officials saying his injured leg was showing positive signs of recovery.Sulong’s story has resonated with Malaysians because it appeared to capture something more than an unusual wildlife encounter: an animal repeatedly trying to navigate a landscape increasingly shared by people, roads and forests.Whether Sulong was actually trying to return to his former home remains uncertain. What is clear is that his journey took him from a forest relocation, to a highway, and eventually onto a boat — ending, for now, in a protected forest habitat where authorities hope he will remain safe.
