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THE FAMILY GIANT ELEPHANT EXPEDITION - BARDIA, NEPAL

Details (as held in the RGS-IBG Expeditions Database at 4/27/2025 8:11:11 AM)
Country(s): Nepal
Organisation: Scientific Exploration Society
Contact: John Blashford-Snell
Website:
E Mail:
Members: 18
Year: 2012
Start: 3/29/2012
End: 4/10/2012
Status: Returned
Location: Bardia National Park

Summary
In the Sal forests of Western Nepal there is a wild life reserve known as the Bardia National Park. Here, in 1992, John Blashford-Snell (JBS) and a team from the Scientific Exploration Society discovered the largest elephant ever seen in the Indian sub-continent. Standing 11 ’3? at the shoulder, the giant was thought by local people to be a mammoth but he turned out to be an unusual Asian elephant with a pronounced domed head. Numerous expeditions to study this creature and his herd were made up to 2001. A book entitled 'Mammoth Hunt' was published and a TV film won large audiences. The discovery of Raja Gaj or King Elephant as he became known, led the Nepalese Wildlife Department to protect the area and this also preserved the endangered Indian rhino, the Bengal tiger, other animals and birds living in this sanctuary. Five years ago Raja Gaj, disappeared, but in 2010, hearing he had returned, a new team sought him only to discover he had possibly been swept away in a flood. Happily the expedition found wild elephants including two large tuskers thought to be the descendents of the great Raja Gai. In 2012 the Colonel returned, with an expedition in two parts ro study wild elephant. The first involved friends and family. The second a more senior group with SES members.

Publications
TypeDetailsRefLocation
ReportThe Family expedition report. 31pp. Illus5714Report Collection

Publications which are available for download are shown with hyperlink in the above list.To consult publications not available online, please contact go@rgs.org, quoting the title of the expedition, the year, and the publication reference number.

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