Sulong relocated to Terengganu National Park

A wild male elephant known as Sulong Chalil was relocated on Sept. 2 to Terengganu Taman Negara through the Tasik Kenyir entrance, Malaysian wildlife authorities said. The Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia, known as PERHILITAN, said the move was intended to place the animal in a natural forest habitat suited to wild elephants while reducing the risk of road accidents and conflict with people. The relocation followed weeks of public sightings of the elephant along the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway, where videos of the animal spread on social media. PERHILITAN said Sulong had also been receiving treatment for an injury to his right leg. ### Why was Sulong moved to Terengganu? PERHILITAN said on Sept. 2 that the relocation was aimed at providing Sulong with a safer environment and lowering the risk of both human-elephant conflict and road accidents. The department said the animal was moved through the Tasik Kenyir entrance, which it described as a natural forest habitat suitable for wild elephants. (bernama.com) The agency said Sulong’s welfare, along with the safety of the public and operation personnel, had been treated as priorities throughout the process. PERHILITAN said its actions were based on assessments of conditions on the ground to minimize risks to all parties. ### Where had Sulong been before the relocation? Since Aug. 17, PERHILITAN had been closely monitoring Sulong’s movements and physical condition after the elephant was seen roaming along the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway, also known as JRTB, in the Gerik area. (bernama.com) Videos recorded by road users and shared online showed the elephant walking along the road shoulder. On Aug. 27, PERHILITAN director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said Sulong was no longer detected along the highway toward Jeli and had moved into a forested area in Kelantan. Abdul Kadir said officers were using drones and regular ground patrols to track the elephant’s location and condition, and urged the public not to approach or feed the animal. (bernama.com) PERHILITAN also said Sulong’s solitary movement was natural behavior for an adult male elephant and did not mean the animal had become separated from a herd or was searching for its family. The department said the elephant was believed to have originated from Chalil, Gua Musang, before an earlier translocation to a forest area in Gerik, and later moved back toward its original area. (malaymail.com) ### How was the operation carried out? PERHILITAN said the recapture operation was completed on Aug. 30 in the East-West Highway area in Gerik after officers assessed safety, location and Sulong’s health status. The department said the relocation itself was carried out on Sept. 1. Two trained elephants, Rambai and Cheri, assisted the move, and the Royal Malaysia Police, or PDRM, also supported the operation, PERHILITAN said. (bernama.com) The department said Sulong was monitored throughout and received veterinary care during the relocation. ### What do authorities say about Sulong’s health? Sinar Daily reported on Sept. 2 that Sulong had been moved to Kenyir Lake, Terengganu, for treatment after the animal was seen injured along the highway. (bernama.com) Abdul Kadir said the elephant’s injured leg was being treated by a PERHILITAN veterinarian. PERHILITAN said in its statement that the injury on Sulong’s right leg was showing positive progress and that follow-up treatment would continue based on veterinary assessment. Abdul Kadir also said authorities would share updates on the elephant’s condition. ### What happens next for Sulong? PERHILITAN said follow-up veterinary treatment will continue after Sulong’s move into the Terengganu forest habitat. (sinardaily.my) The department has already used drones and ground patrols to monitor the elephant’s movements and condition during earlier stages of the case, and Abdul Kadir said updates on Sulong’s condition would be provided later. (bernama.com)