Inktober: Gaja-vyala

This took a bit longer than supposed to, because how on EARTH does one blend together things like a lion and an elephant?!! I mean an elephant head isn’t exactly made for biting ungulate throats, you know.

Yali is an umbrella term for many Indian creatures that share a distant ancestor with all the different sorts of sphinxes. Simon’s zoo has three (one male and two females) of a subspecies known as gaja-vyala. Like many sphinxes, these animals are somewhat territorial, and have been known to be used as guardian beasts in the past. While that in itself is quite enough to be dangerous, imagine backing that up with the strength of an elephant crammed in the size and shape of a lion. If they set their mind to it, they could probably tear apart a car.

Most captive gaja-vyalas around the world are hand reared to make them less likely to attack their handlers. They are also the reason why the zoo originally hired one of their handlers, Rivers, who is a naga. Having nearly a metric ton of snake shaped muscle available in need is a must when you’re handling something that has as much power as these guys do.

(Names pending. One of the girls is Empress, and I kinda want to name one "Waffle". Suggestions welcome.)