SHAH ALAM – In Malaysia’s ancient rainforests, a powerful story of compassion and conservation unfolds as the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) works to rescue and relocate wild elephants from human-wildlife conflict zones.
These efforts transport not only the elephants' physical bodies, but also their emotions, memories and dignity to safety.
Malaysia’s wild elephants, revered for their majesty, face growing challenges in increasingly dangerous conflict areas.
As forests and natural habitats are cleared for agriculture and development, elephants frequently stray into local farmlands and villages in search of food. This leads to perilous encounters for both humans and the elephants.
Beyond the visible impact of "human-elephant conflict" lies an often-overlooked aspect: emotional trauma.
Elephants are among the most emotionally complex animals on Earth.
With brains larger than those of any other land mammal and a highly developed limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for emotion, they are capable of experiencing grief, joy, empathy and deep familial bonds.
"When an elephant is removed from its family group or from a habitat it has known for years, it doesn’t just react physically, it suffers emotionally.
"We see changes in their behaviour, from agitation and pacing to refusal to eat. These are signs of psychological stress, much like what humans experience during trauma," a Perhilitan spokesperson told Sinar Daily.
Translocation: A mission of compassion
Every elephant rescue begins with a plea for help. When communities report sightings or destruction, Perhilitan deploys its expert teams to assess the situation.
This process, called "Translocation,” involves a complex set of procedures to move elephants in danger or at risk of endangering humans to specific national reserves and sanctuaries for safeguarding and further nurturing.
Complying with Perhilitan's established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), a well-equipped team uses signs such as footprints, crop damage and satellite collar data to determine the presence, identity and behaviour of the elephants involved.
Experienced officers from Perhilitan's Elephant Capture Unit (UTG) then move in, employing non-aggressive sedation methods and a carefully choreographed operation.
Wild elephants are sedated using tranquilizers administered by professional veterinary officers and gently secured to strong trees or rocks.
This process is not just clinical; it is deeply emotional. Just like humans, elephants experience deep emotional stress when unfamiliar personnel arrive in large numbers, leading to anxiety and trepidation.
To ease this stress, trained decoy elephants — calm and domesticated companions — are brought in to offer comfort and guide their wild cousins out of the forest.
These decoys serve as living bridges of trust, showing the anxious elephants that even amidst chaos, calm can exist between humans and elephants.
Thinking minds and feeling hearts
Elephants are not just intelligent; they are self-aware. Scientific studies confirm that elephants pass the mirror test (recognising themselves in a mirror), use tools, problem-solve and even mourn their dead.
Herds have been observed staying by the side of a deceased member for hours, or returning to the site for days, gently touching the bones.
This rich emotional world means that translocation must be handled with immense sensitivity.
Perhilitan takes great care to build trust through familiarisation, offering preferred foods and ensuring the same caretakers interact with the elephants throughout the entire translocation and rehabilitation process.
"Approaches are adapted based on behaviour. We use indirect communication, offer their favorite foods and ensure the same personnel interact with them consistently. This familiarity helps gain their trust,” they clarified.
A new home, a new hope
Once secured, the elephants are transported in custom-built trucks to protected areas far from human settlements, with veterinary teams always on standby to provide treatment if needed.
These elephant sanctuaries include national parks and permanent forest reserves that provide safe, natural environments.
According to Perhilitan, there is no forced quarantine but just freedom.
Released elephants are given space to explore and reconnect with nature.
If the area has an existing elephant population, interactions occur gradually and naturally.
Post-release, many elephants are fitted with satellite collars, allowing Perhilitan to monitor their movements and ensure they are adapting well.
"Elephants, like humans, may experience stress or emotional disturbance, especially after separation from their group or original habitat.
"Identifiable signs include restlessness or changes in eating and movement patterns. Therefore, the monitoring team pays close attention during the early adjustment phase after translocation," the spokesperson stated.
As elephants are reintegrated, they will often find their new home among other rescued elephants.
"Most elephants can adjust and reintegrate with the local herds over time. Some will seek out other herds. Others prefer to be alone for a while. Like humans, each has its own personality,” the wildlife department said.
Who gets relocated and why?
Perhilitan does not relocate all elephants; each case is carefully evaluated. Male elephants, often solitary and more aggressive, are commonly prioritised due to their higher risk of conflict.
When herds are involved, family groups such as mothers and calves are relocated together to preserve their emotional bonds.
Age, gender, size and behaviour are all considered, but the focus remains on two main goals: reducing conflict and protecting the well-being of both elephants and humans.
The unsung heroes
Behind each operation is a dedicated team of heroes: tired, sunburnt and emotionally invested.
Many of Perhilitan's staff develop deep bonds with the elephants they rescue, particularly after days or weeks of monitoring.
"Each time a capture operation begins, staff often experience stress, fatigue and sleep deprivation due to long operational hours and the distance between the capture and release sites,” Perhilitan added.
To care for their own physical and psychological well-being, Perhilitan provides emotional support among colleagues and recovery breaks before the next operation.
Ultimately, they understand that to protect creatures of such emotional depth, they must also safeguard their own well-being and mental health.
Perhilitan’s elephant translocation efforts represent more than just wildlife management.
As deforestation and development continue to push them into peril, Malaysia’s translocation efforts stand as a testament to empathy in action.
Through Perhilitan's unwavering dedication, these gentle giants are given a second chance: to heal, to roam and to remember that there is still a place in the world for them.