A car was damaged after a wild elephant attacked vehicles on the Munnar-Marayur road, forest officials said on Sunday.
Officials suspect that a wild slider, popularly known as Padayappa, was involved in the incident, which occurred around 11 pm on Saturday.
According to officials, the elephant first approached the parked tourist bus and broke one of its side windows. A passing SUV then blocked the road.
The driver stopped the vehicle and remained inside along with another passenger, officials said. The elephant smashed the windshield and dented the car’s roof and hood.
Information about the incident was received by the forest department, which went to the spot.
By the time officials arrived, the elephant had moved away from the area and the damaged car was shifted to a nearby forest station.
The two occupants of the car, both from Erattupetta in Kottayam district, escaped unhurt as they remained in the vehicle during the attack.
Forest officials said they are keeping a close eye on the movements of Padayappa, who often roams the area and is currently on the loose.
Published – 15 Feb 2026 19:58 IST