Wild tusker Padayappa crossing the toll plaza at the Munnar-Bodimettu highway at Devikulam on Monday night.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Padayappa, the wild tusker once adored for its calm and friendly demeanour, is now sparking anxiety among commuters on the Munnar-Marayur and Munnar-Devikulam routes. Residents near tea plantations live in fear of unexpected encounters with the once-beloved elephant.

The animal has long been a familiar sight in and around the hill station, even becoming a popular tourist attraction. However, recent incidents have painted a different picture of the beloved elephant which has attacked several vehicles and shops over the past few days, leaving a woman seriously injured.

According to Munnar Range Officer Biju S., the tusker’s sudden aggression is due the animal in musth, a natural phase in which male elephants experience heightened testosterone levels, leading to increased aggression.

“A department veterinarian informed us that the musth will last for the next one month, after which its aggressive behaviour is expected to subside. Meanwhile, the Forest department is actively tracking Padayappa’s movements and keeping the public informed,” he says.

The department has also issued safety guidelines, urging people not to stop their vehicles or approach Padayappa if it is spotted on roadsides, as the tusker is actively raiding fruit and vegetable shops in search of food.

Environmentalists, however, believe there may be more to the story. M.N. Jayachandran says that changes in the tusker’s behaviour could be linked to environmental factors or even attempts to relocate the animal.

“I suspect some groups might be trying to move Padayappa out of the hill station. Climate change and illegal roadside shops could also be influencing its behaviour,” he says.

Named after the popular Rajinikanth movie, Padayappa has long been a favourite among locals and tourists alike, often seen peacefully munching on food from roadside shops without causing any damage.