The Swimming Elephant

Gliding gracefully beneath the crystal-clear waters this Asian bull elephant cuts a mystical figure. Weighing 3.5 tons and standing at just under four metres, meet Rajan one of the last surviving elephants who helped with logging on the Andaman and Nicobar Island chain near the end of the Bay of Bengal.
Photographed by Cesare Naldi, these amazing images show the unique bond between 60-year-old Rajan and 58-year-old mahout (elephant driver), Nasru.

Weighing 3.5 tons and standing at just under four metres, 60-year-old Rajan dives with his 58-year-old mahout (elephant driver), Nasru Renowned for his ability to swim, Rajan and Nasru have become something of a fixture at their home on Havelock Island, which is in the Indian Ocean.


In one spectacular image Nasru is seen balancing on the animals tusks as the elephant took a breather on his morning swim.
This particular image and resulting series was enough to win Cesare first prize in National Geographic's International Photography contest in December of last year.
Renowned for his ability to swim, Rajan and Nasru have become something of a fixture at their home on Havelock Island, which is in the Indian Ocean.
"I took the pictures during the early morning around 8am as Rajan crossed the short distance between beaches on Havelock Island," said U.S.-based Cesare.

Nasru balances on the animals tusks as the elephant took a breather on his morning swim

"I was really surprised by the speed of his legs and how he could actually swim,' said the photographer who took the images"
Note: Not only you ... i think the whole world surprised too.