The Giant Elephant Quest: In Search of “Lost” Raja Gaj.

The giant elephants of West Nepal were a legend until in 1992 a Scientific Exploration Society expedition discovered two of these enormous beasts living in the Bardia Park in a remote corner of this Himalayan kingdom. The largest tusker, estimated at 11 feet 3 inches at his shoulder and probably weighing up to 8 tons, was named Raja Gaj or King Elephant….For ten years Colonel John Blashford-Snell (JBS) and SES teams studied Raja Gaj and found a herd of up to 50 including cows and calves….In January JBS and a team of enthusiasts from the SES returned to Bardia to seek evidence that the King Elephant, who would now be about 64, is there….

The expedition, organized by the British Travel Company Steppes Discovery and approved by the Scientific Exploration Society, took place from 27th Feb 2010 – 13th Mar 2010 (Duration: 14 days). They found that Raja Gaj had died, but other intriguing encounters occurred. The results can be viewed here.

Thanks to Markus Hemmler for the heads up on this.