New Delhi: Sri Lanka has got some new toll booths, and the tax collector needs no money. Instead, it looks for any type of food that is available to the commuter. Raja, the elephant, has celebrity status.
Raja means ‘King’ and this king adorably collects ‘toll’ as food that passersby offer him. It has now become a routine. In this article, let us meet Raja, the elephant from Sri Lanka.
All about Raja
Raja is a 40-year-old male elephant who collects payments on the Buttlala-Kataragama road in Sri Lanka. This road connects the west and southeast coasts of the island. Raja stands by the side of the road and steps onto it when he sees a ‘profitable’ vehicle.
Raja weighs four tonnes and he uses his large body to block the road. He waits for payment before moving out of the way.
The clever elephant only stops larger vehicles and buses because they have more to offer. When a vehicle stops, he gently reaches his trunk through a door or window to ask for a toll.
His actions have made him a minor celebrity in Sri Lanka. Travellers often buy fruit ahead of time in case they see the big elephant. No one seems to mind when he slows down traffic.
Famous on Social Media
Videos of an elephant named Raja have become popular on social media after he appeared in a BBC documentary series about Asia, presented by David Attenborough. The series looks at the amazing wildlife and natural wonders of the continent. While filming in Sri Lanka, the team found Raja.
The crew arrived at the roadside at 6 am every day, and Raja was there to welcome them. He was ready to stop cars and collect snacks for another busy day. While some of the younger elephants along the road sometimes became aggressive, Raja was a gentle giant.
Buttala-Kataragama road
The Buttala-Kataragama road is an important link between Sri Lanka’s west and southeast coasts. Wild animals and untamed jungle flank it on both sides. The area attracts many locals and foreigners who want to experience nature untouched beauty nature’s untouched beauty.
Raja, a Sri Lankan elephant, has become a viral sensation for his unusual “toll” collection method on the Buttala-Kataragama road. Instead of money, Raja accepts food offerings from passing vehicles. Read on to learn more about Raja and his toll-collecting tactics. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
