News from the Wilderness

By Chitral Jayatilake

The first herds have already arrived at Minneriya ... Good news as we anticipate a lot more arrivals in the weeks to come. Despite the very wet weather we've experienced this year, it was heartening to see the movement of elephants by end May towards Minneriya.

But the majority of the elephants are still between the Eco Park jungles along the road that takes you to Kaudulla National Park. Presently, they can be seen feeding by the road in the late evenings. But visitors must take precautions when watching them by the road as careless behavior can make them aggressive, specially with many young ones seen in the herds.

It is well advised to stay within your vehicles and NOT approach the herds on foot at any time. Though the elephants will tolerate vehicles at close range, they will surely react to humans on foot as they will feel threatened. In a few more weeks the big show will commence at the Minneriya plains towards the end of this month.

More next week ... Till then, the jungle telegraph takes a short break leaving you a list of statistics to ponder over…