‘His leg is still injured’: Concern grows as elephant Sulong reappears in Gerik

Motorists reported seeing Sulong back in Gerik, with the injury to his leg still visible. — Picture via social media

By Malay Mail

First Published: Monday, 31 Aug 2026 9:56 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — An injured wild elephant whose long journey along Malaysia’s East-West Highway has captured public attention has reportedly been spotted back in Gerik, Perak, just days after he was believed to have entered forest in Kelantan.

The male elephant, known as Sulong, was seen yesterday morning with the injury to his leg still visible, according to social media users who encountered him.

Harian Metro reported that Sulong was spotted at about 9.30am moving once again in the direction of Gerik.

One social media user, identified as Zulfadhli, said he came across the elephant shortly afterwards.

“At 9.47, I came across Sulong. He was heading towards Titiwangsa. Sulong’s leg is still injured,” he said.

Another social media user, Ramli, also reported passing the elephant that morning.

“This morning [yesterday], I passed Sulong. From the way Sulong was moving, it really didn’t look like he was going into the forest.

“But the elephant wasn’t bothering anyone — people were just afraid to pass by Sulong,” he said.

The latest sighting adds another chapter to Sulong’s closely followed movements after videos of the injured elephant walking along the East-West Highway in Gerik went viral on social media.

He was subsequently reported to have entered a forested area in Kelantan on Wednesday.

Sulong’s plight has drawn particular concern because footage circulating online showed him walking with an apparent injury, while his repeated appearances along the highway have brought him into close proximity with passing vehicles.

Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim had previously said officers were continuing to monitor Sulong’s movements and condition using drones as well as regular ground patrols.

Sulong is believed to have originally come from Chalil in Gua Musang, Kelantan, before being moved to a forested area in Gerik as part of a Perhilitan translocation operation.

His subsequent movements have prompted speculation online that he may be trying to make his way back towards his former habitat in Gua Musang.