Species Elephas maximus | ||
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Raja Gaj (king elephant), was a large Asian elephant that lived in the Bardiya National Park in Nepal. It was considered to be the biggest Asian bull elephant of modern times who was estimated to be 11 feet 3 inches (nearly 3.5 metres) tall at the shoulder, some two feet taller than the average Asian elephant. It went missing from its habitat in southwestern Nepal, in December 2007 and was never seen again. It 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 mastodons. But a DNA test later confirmed he 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.
