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.

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Yahoo Lifestyle Entertainment Photo by Arati Kumar-Rao Wed 12 Dec, 2012 12:30 PM IST

Last year, we sat quiet as mice as a whole herd approached and surrounded us. This lady, calmly kicked and rounded up grass and scarfed it to her mouth – until she was a foot away from us (this image). At which point she turned and sashayed around the jeep to the other side and resumed eating.
Last year, we sat quiet as mice as a whole herd approached and surrounded us. This lady, calmly kicked and rounded up grass and scarfed it to her mouth – until she was a foot away from us (this image). At which point she turned and sashayed around the jeep to the other side and resumed eating.