Snorkeling with Rajan, the swimming elephant of Havelock Island, A&N, India

This is totally outside of the norm. An elephant, swimming, snorkelling! Rajan, the permanent elephant resident of Barefoot at Havelock Resort, knows the water well. At 59 years of age a simple morning or afternoon ritual is a plunge in to the waves along the beach. Using his trunk as a snorkel, he finds his way along the seabed to deeper water, enjoying every moment floating amidst the waves. As...
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Snorkeling with Rajan, the swimming elephant of Havelock Island, A&N, India

This is totally outside of the norm. An elephant, swimming, snorkelling! Rajan, the permanent elephant resident of Barefoot at Havelock Resort, knows the water well. At 59 years of age a simple morning or afternoon ritual is a plunge in to the waves along the beach. Using his trunk as a snorkel, he finds his way along the seabed to deeper water, enjoying every moment floating amidst the waves. As I snorkel alongside Rajan he glances my way. Without words he tells me, "Stay close, hold my tusk, I will keep you safe." The A&N Islands also offer great diving experiences with colourful corals and abundant marine life.

Full feature text by Jillian Macdonald available for publication at Adventure4ever.com
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