An intimate encounter with Sri Lanka's elephants

The Gathering is what they call it. When Sri Lanka's great elephants -- heavier and bigger than their counterparts on the Indian mainland -- gather by the hundreds, even thousands, in the plains of the Mahaweli River to feed, bathe, mate, suckle, spar and jostle each other in gestures of intimidation, affection and authority, the earth has no choice but to tremble.

ARATI KUMAR-RAO paints an endearing portrait of these gentle and awe-inspiring giants with an intimate and rare glimpse into their complex social lives.