Why in the News?
A wild tusker named Padayappa has recently damaged vehicles along the Munnar to Marayur route in Kerala during his musth period, reviving debate over human wildlife conflict and relocation demands.
Location
- Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala
- Roams between Munnar and Devikulam forest ranges
About Padayappa
- Approximate age: 60 years
- Species: Asian Elephant
- Identifiable by:
- Limp due to hind leg injury
- Unusually long tusks
- Named after the Rajinikanth film Padayappa
- Known as a tourism icon in Munnar
Recent Developments
- Damaged four vehicles this month
- Over 20 vehicles damaged during last year’s musth period
- Forest Department Rapid Response Team monitoring movements
- Officials state aggression linked only to musth, not habitual conflict behavior
Musth (Prelims Concept)
- A periodic condition in male elephants
- Characterised by:
- Increased testosterone levels
- Heightened aggression
- Temporal gland secretion
- Seasonal and temporary phase
| [2020] With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:Â
1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. 3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only |
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