Raja Gaj (king elephant) (c. 1936 – 2007?) was a large Asian elephant that lived in the Bardiya National Park in Nepal. He is considered to be one of the biggest Asian bull elephants of modern times with an estimated height of 11 feet 3 inches (3.43 metres) tall at the shoulder, around two feet taller than the average Asian elephant.[1] He went missing from his habitat in southwestern Nepal, in December 2007 and was never seen again.[2] He was estimated to be 70 years old at the time of his disappearance.
Raja Gaj was the subject of scientific speculation due to his sheer size and peculiarly domed head which led some to wonder if he might be a genetic throwback to extinct species such as the mammoths and stegodonts.[3] However, a DNA test later confirmed it was a "regular" Asian elephant. The giant bull was the Bardiya National Park's main attraction.[3]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Ben S. Roesch. "Living Stegodont or Genetic Freak?". Archived from the original on 8 November 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Missing: Giant Elephant
- ^ a b World's Largest Asian Elephant May Be Dead
External links edit
- Huge Indian Elephant - Rajagaj (Video)
- The Giant Elephant Quest
- In search of the Beast of Bardia
- Mammoth Hunt: In Search of the Giant Elephants of Nepal
- Beast of Bardia
- The Giant Elephant Quest: In Search of “Lost” Raja Gaj
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