Raja Gaj

Raja Gaj (king elephant) (c. 1936 – 2007?) was a large Asian elephant that lived in the Bardiya National Park in Nepal. He was considered to be the biggest Asian bull elephant of modern times who was estimated to be 11 feet 3 inches (3.43 metres) tall at the shoulder, some 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 in the 1990s

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 mastodons.[3] However, a DNA test later confirmed it was a "regular" Asian elephant. The giant bull was the Bardiya National Park's main attraction, though it does feature several other species of wild animals.[3]

References
  1. Ben S. Roesch. "Living Stegodont or Genetic Freak?". Archived from the original on 8 November 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-18.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  2. Missing: Giant Elephant
  3. World's Largest Asian Elephant May Be Dead
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