Along the Buttala-Kataragama road in Sri Lanka, a majestic wild elephant, believed to be over 40 years old, performs the duties of a toll collector.
Known to locals as Raja, meaning king, the elephant stands roadside but quickly seizes upon a vehicle coming from either direction and immediately requests food. The jumbo needs to be served.
Raja is patient in his approach. He understands that getting angry will only drive the people away. Hence, after stopping the vehicles, Raja calmly uses his massive trunk to poke the drivers for food, who after some negotiation, albeit failed, offer the food items to him. It is an efficient business — one that only Raja appears to be the master of.
What started as an innocuous food search by Raja has now turned into a full-fledged tradition. Many motorists buy fruits including bananas in advance at wayside little stalls that dot the road from Lunugamvehera to Sella Kataragama, anticipating an encounter with the elephants, particularly Raja.
Notably, the Buttala-Kataragama road is a major linkway that connects Sri Lanka’s west coast with the southeast coast. With wild untamed jungle on either side, the road is popular among the locals as well as foreigners who seek the thrill of engaging with nature in its visceral glory.
Despite causing significant hassle on the road by blocking the vehicles, the locals treat Raja with respect and give in to his authoritarian ‘tax-collection’ policy.
Social media reacts
Social media users have given their seal of approval to Raja to continue his bureaucratic duties and chomp on bananas and other fruits.
“This is where and how l want my tax to be paid,” said one user, while another added: For people saying it’s dangerous, I mean who’s gonna stop him? It’s called hustle!”
A third added: “These elephants are true businessmen. Look how patiently he’s dealing with the drivers.”
Source: BBC Earth
