Meet Padayappa, Munnar's Jumbo Resident Who Has Proven That Humans & Animals Can Exist In Peace

The death of a pregnant wild elephant in Kerala last week after it accidentally bit a trap set for wild boars was one of the most shocking incidents that had surfaced in recent times.

Ever since an emotional Facebook post of a Kerala Forest Department official went viral, the unfortunate incident has been twisted, and was even given a communal angle. This includes some politicians who made false and unsubstantiated claims to make it look like Kerala is hell for animals.

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While the accidental killing of the pregnant elephant was undoubtedly a case of ever-increasing human-animal conflict, there are other stories of peaceful coexistence between humans and wild animals. The story of Padayappa is one such example.

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Padayappa is a wild tusker who almost enjoys a celebrity status in the tourist town of Munnar, in Idukki. He is named after Padayappa, an iconic movie by Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth.

The elephant who is easily distinguishable due to his unusually long tusks has been a regular visitor in Munnar for years. The hill station is in the middle of several forests and protected areas and has many elephant corridors on the way which have been now cut off due to roads and other constructions.

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It is not clear how and when Padayappa began having a liking for human company but in the past many years he has been a regular presence in the town.

Despite his intimidating size, Padayappa is known to be a gentle giant and has hardly any history of violence. The only exemption was an incident a few years ago when he went on a rampage near the Mattupetty boat landing, destroying several vehicles. He was reportedly angered after a vehicle passed too close to him. But he did not turn on humans.

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Even now when Padayappa becomes angry, he has a habit of just squatting in the middle of the road, sometimes for hours, blocking traffic. The only other so-called nuisance this giant creates is for street hawkers and food vendors because he has developed a taste for cooked food.

Since he is a regular visitor in Munnar, locals, and tourists who were initially scared of the tusker have become used to him and will offer him fruits, which he happily accepts.

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In 2018, a group of men playing football had the scare of their lives when, out of the blue Padayappa showed up on the ground. But he just stood in the middle of the ground for some time and then went back to the forest.

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Though he has been photographed and filmed any number of times, Padayappa is apparently camera shy. In June 2019 there was an incident when a group of tourists got too close to him trying to click selfies.

The tusker did not like this and charged at them. While the tourist escaped unhurt, Padayappa who was already nursing an injury, presumably suffered during a fight with another tusker, disappeared into the wild for a long time.

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During the lockdown, recently Padayappa was spotted across Munnar several times, often loitering in the empty streets. In the several videos that have been posted online people can be heard calling his name out loud from distance.