When I was younger I saw this movie, I thought it was called "Malaka" but I haven't found it under that title. The movie is a story of a single parent with like 5 kids I think it was made around the 90's. Anyway this elephant comes to the family (cant remember how) but the children try to hide it from the mother. Eventually the mother finds out and calls an elephant expert and the two form a love interest. A man who is clearly the bad guy is trying to find malaka (the elephant) to pooch her I think and then family tries to protect the elephant. I would love to find this movie if you have any idea what it could be or if its under a different name please let me know.

You were close, here's the link: Malaika (1998)