The Elephant Management Unit was established by the Malay authorities in 1974, under the direction of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The renowned Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre was established by this division. In response to human-elephant conflict, the unit has developed a strong focus on elephant translocation, transporting elephants to the eastern Malaysian states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, where there is still a significant amount of forest, some of which is protected as part of the vast Taman Negara National Park.

Elephants have been completely eradicated from the states of Perlis, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan through the use of translocation. Over the course of 25 years, approximately 500 elephants have been relocated.

Forest clearing is now much less common and occurs only after a lengthy planning process that takes into account the migratory patterns of elephants and the requirements for habitat.

It appears that the translocation policy was successful in reducing conflict between humans and elephants and preserving a healthy population of elephants.