New Delhi: One might think that the largest congregation on Earth would include human beings, considered among the most pervasive species on the planet. However, when we compare our numbers to those of other species, it becomes evident that humans do not come close to the enormous gatherings of animals that assemble for various purposes, forming the largest groups known to mankind. Every year, many animals congregate at multiple sites worldwide for essential activities such as feeding, migration and reproduction. One example is ‘The Great Gathering’ of elephants in Sri Lanka. Let us learn about this extraordinary natural phenomenon.
What exactly is ‘The Gathering’?
The Gathering, one of Earth’s greatest annual wildlife events, is a coming together of Asian elephants at the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks in the North Central province of Sri Lanka. The 6th largest animal congregation in the world, this great Gathering occurs during the summers, from July to October.
In the drier months, the elephants visit Minneriya and then move to the Kaudulla National Park as the weather improves. However, a larger number stays at Minniyera, and elephants migrate between the two parks depending on water levels and food availability.
As the waters in the Minniyera tank recede, the surrounding areas give way to grasslands. This draws elephants and other wildlife to flock to the area to quench their thirst and munch on the fresh grass. An estimated 700 of these majestic animals visit the water tank every year.
This event attracts thousands of tourists and wildlife enthusiasts from far and wide to witness this spectacular event. In this confluence of elephants from different parts of the country, several herds interact with each other – from exuberant calves to massive tuskers.
Sheltering in the tall forests during the peak heat, the elephants emerge from the tall grasses when the sun sets. After having their full near the tank, elephants from different herds socialise with each other, bathing, playing, and even finding mates.
The Asian Elephant
The largest land mammal in Asia, the Asian Elephant, is found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The subspecies found in Sri Lanka is called E. maximus maximus. These herbivores inhabit grasslands, deciduous forests and evergreen forests.
Listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, elephants have historically been domesticated in the Indian subcontinent. These elephants, with wrinkled grey skin, can measure up to 3.8 metres and weigh over 5,000 kilograms. However, Asian elephants are smaller than the African bush elephant.
While female elephants and their calves move together in groups, males or bulls remain solitary or travel in ‘bachelor groups.’ These intelligent creatures communicate using a combination of growls, snorts, and squeaks, often infrasonic and hence inaudible to human ears.
The gentle giants are primarily unbothered by the presence of humans in their habitat, but some of them have become aggressive after unfortunate incidents in the Minniyera National Park. A mother who lost her calf in a car accident rammed 15 tourist vehicles in one month after the tragic event.
Minneriya National Park
Located 182 km from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, the Minneriya National Park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles and over 170 species of birds.
These include leopards, sloth bears, red-lipped lizards, land monitors, cormorants, and painted storks. However, the park’s most famous inhabitants are the elephants, which can be viewed year-round.
The Minniyera tank, an ancient human-made reservoir, was constructed in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasen. Covering wetlands, grasslands, scrublands, and forest patches, the area was officially designated as a national park in August 1997, having been a wildlife sanctuary until then.
The tank provides water and lush grasses for wildlife, serves water storage functions, and irrigates nearby areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Polonnaruwa.
This protected National Park has an area of about 89 km2 and is located near Habarana and the Sigiriya fortress, significant cultural sites in Sri Lanka.
Threats to The Gathering
Logging is a significant threat to this remarkable event, with parts of the forest falling rapidly, which also decreases the reservoir’s water levels. Encroachment by shops and houses, poaching, overfishing, and illegal agricultural spread also threaten the Gathering. Further, locals’ designation and use of unofficial ‘bathing areas’ have also polluted the animals’ one steady water source.
Similar Events
There are several other events like the Great Gathering across the world, where hordes of animals come together to achieve a common goal, be it the search for food and water or migration. Some of these are:
1. Wildebeest Migration
Travelling from Serengeti in Tanzania towards the Masai Mara in Kenya and vice versa, more than 1.5 million wildebeest migrate in this loop annually. Recognised as one of the seven wonders of the natural world, this treacherous path includes many rivers filled with humongous Nile crocodiles, making it one of the toughest migration routes in the world.
2. Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
The largest Gathering of mammals, a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats inhabits the Bracken Cave near San Antonio, Texas. Bats roost primarily in caves, where they raise their young. Around 20 -40 million of these enigmatic creatures congregate in this cave at altitudes as high as 3,000 metres.
3. Monarch Butterfly Migration
From October to March, monarch butterflies, orange-coloured creatures measuring 4 inches, migrate to and from California and Central Mexico every year in the summer and autumn. Around 120 of these minuscule creatures participate in this annual ritual; however, with increased deforestation, the population has been declining by 9 per cent yearly.
What is the wildlife phenomenon known as ‘The Gathering’, and how is it significant for animal populations? Read the article to find out. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
