The gathering at Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park is famous for it's elephant gathering in the dry season. Minneriya is a large reservoir, and initially it was thought that the herds of elephants, 100's large, were drawn here for the water. However, it has since been shown that they are not here for the water, but for the fresh sweet grass shoots that spring up in the wake of the receding water line! Once the feast is over, the herds separate again into smaller herds or individuals until next years big event! :) Magnificent! :)
The Sri Lankan elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to Sri Lanka. Since 1986, "Elephas maximus" has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years. The species is pre-eminently threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.
