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As the receding waters of the Minneriya tank exposes the rich soil for lush grasslands to appear, so do many dozens of herds of elephants. Elephants as many as three hundred can be seen within a few square kilometres in this grazing land, giving enthusiasts an amazing opportunity to observe the social behavior of these magnificent creatures.

A matriarchal family structure guides these herds and large males can be seen roaming the plains during this spectacle. The event begins in mid June, peaks by August and lasts till late October. Local knowledge will guide you to spot the largest herds at the best location between Minneriya and Kaudulla.

It is important that we observe these gentle giants from afar, as moving too close would distract the elephants from their usually relaxed nature.

We need to learn how to enjoy and appreciate wildlife in their natural state.
Kids .. Did you know !!

- A baby elephant suckles using the mouth Not the trunk

- Are weaned around 2 – 4 years

- Cows can bear young around the age of 16

- Elephants begin to work in domesticated environments at around 16 years

- Are fully grown at 20 years

- Working elephants are at their prime between 20 – 40 years as they begin to slow down at around 45 years

- A bull can stand at

9 feet – weigh 7000 – 12000 lbs with cows standing 7.5 feet weighing 5000 – 10000 lbs

11 pounds – four times that of a human and has the largest ears of any animal

- The skin is 2.5 cm thick which protects them from insects and thorns

Diet of an Asian Elephant

- Purely vegetarian herbivore

- Eats around 200 – 300 Kg's of fodder

- Drinks about 150 litres of water daily

- Shows a natural liking for salt

- Has a very ineffective digestive system which absorbs less than 45 % of what it feeds on

- Extremely social animal with strong family ties – lives in herds with adult males pushed out of the herds around the age of 15 which naturally avoids in- breeding thus helping to maintain a stronger gene pool.