Elephant Gathering in Sri Lanka

There are an estimated 6000 wild elephants in Sri Lanka, with the species having been listed as officially endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 1986. These gentle giants are an integral part of the island’s culture and religion, besides being a key feature of the nation’s identity.

Elephants are revered here, but deforestation and the spread of human habita tion has led to their falling populations, countered today by sustained efforts at their conservation.

Watching elephants in their natural habitat is a great way. They are a protected species on the island, and can be spotted at several national parks throughout the year, including, Minneriya, Udawalawe, Wilpattu, Kumana (Yala East), Lunugamwehera, Wasgamuwa and Gal Oya National Parks.

However, the best way to watch these magnificent creatures is to drive up for The Gathering: a congregation of more than 300 elephants from all over Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, coming together on the lake bed at Minneriya National Park close to Habarana, Sri Lanka. This is the glimpse of the biggest gathering of wild Asian elephants in the world.

Minneriya National Park is located around 80 kilometers from Colombo, in the North Central Province National The park covers an area of more than 8,500 hectares of land and is part of the elephant corridor that connects the Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa National Parks.

In addition to the large number of elephants that can be seen here, the park is home to more than 20 other species of mammals, including the purple-faced langur monkey and the toque macaque monkey, sambar deer, Sri Lankan leopards, and sloth bears. There are also 160 types of birds that can be spotted here, the most visible of which are the flocks of over 2000 cormorants.

This congregation is fueled by the diminishing water and food resources in other areas provides a spectacular sight as the elephants socialize, bathe, drink, feed and potentially find mates.

This gathering is recognized as the sixth largest animal gathering globally by Lonely Planet and acclaimed by the BBC and CNN as a natural phenomenon that offers visitors a unique and memorable life time experience.