World's Only Swimming Bull Elephant

Rajan, the world's last and only ocean swimming elephant, is edging a step closer to a well-earned retirement. Celebrated the world over, the three-ton bull elephant has almost reached the £37,000 target his owners need to pay back the loan they took out to buy his freedom.

Rajan, 61, has entertained and stunned photographers all willing to pay for the privilege of spending time with the world's last swimming elephant. Rajan and his dedicated mahout, 59-year-old Nazrool, are looking forward to quiet days walking in the jungle on Havelock Island, or swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

'When swimming with Rajan you are almost certain he is aware he is being photographed,' said Jody MacDonald, who spent over a week with Rajan on Havelock Island, which is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Island chain. 'He never swims unless he wants to, so it is a pleasure to be in the water with him at the same time.

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