Once upon a time, in the heart of St. Louis, there existed a quite extraordinary creature. A true gentle giant of his kind, a spectacle that caught the gaze of countless wanderers. A creature, so profoundly magnificent, that his colossal size and incredible strength often made one forget the tenderness dwelling in his heart. This fabled creature is none other than Raja, the male Asian elephant, the star of the St. Louis Zoo for decades.
From celebrating his birthday with a card bigger than most of our living room TVs, to watching his heart-warming interactions, for 31 years, we've grown to adore him. Born and raised amongst us, Raja has been much more than a zoo attraction – he has been a part of our community, our shared identity. His upcoming departure for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio fills our hearts with a bittersweet cocktail of emotions.
