Idukki: The forest department officials are endeavouring to relocate the wild elephant Padayappa, which remains in the residential area of Idukki, back to the inner forest. A special team formed to monitor Padayappa will join the Rapid Response Team (RRT) soon. The elephant’s movements will be monitored using a drone. Considering the age of the elephant, the authorities have informed that they will not tranquillize the wild elephant for the time being, and only if all efforts fail, they will tranquilize the wild elephant.
Padayappa has been staying in the residential area in Munnar for a week. The forest department authorities attempted to relocate the elephant into the forest; however, after a few hours, the elephant returned to the residential area. Padayappa also destroyed shops in Mattupetty and Thenmala area yesterday.
The forest department has attributed Padayappa’s prolonged stay in residential areas to the scarcity of water and fodder in its natural habitat. To address this issue, authorities are working to relocate the elephant to areas where food and water resources are available. The forest department officials have informed that the wild elephant is currently located in Manappady.
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