Award winning film ‘The Great Elephant Gathering’ to highlight animal behaviour in local setting

Award winning ‘The Great Elephant Gathering’ which is a wildlife documentary and film directed by Dilum Alagiyawanna is to be screened at the Tharanganee Film Hall on 6 July at 6:30 p.m., highlighting animal behaviour at its best in a local setting. 

The documentary is a 40 minute observation of the annual elephant gathering at the Minneriya National Park. The gathering at Minneriya is a sight to behold that takes place during the dry season which is from July to September when the water supplies reduce drastically in this region.

It is to cope up with the strong sun and droughts that the elephants congregate around the Minneriya reservoir where grasses are rich and fertile. The elephants come from areas beyond the reservoir and at times herds with numbers as large as 300 to 400 can be seen, depicts the film.

According to authorities the elephant gathering at Minneriya is the largest grouping of elephants at one time in Asia. This event probably dates back centuries but it has only gained mainstream attention quite recently. Hence the documentary will be giving recognition to this magnificent once a year natural rendezvous. 

The film produced in partnership with the Department of Wildlife also won the ‘Best Animal Behaviour Award’ at the 16th Japan Wildlife Film Festival that was held in Tokyo after competing with 31 nominations out of 208 global entries during 2 to 3 April earlier this year.

Having commenced first in 1993, the Japan Wildlife Film Festival is organised biennially – every odd year in Japan, with the cooperation of Wildscreen in Bristol, UK and Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival in Wyoming, USA and is now the largest event of its kind in Asia and Pacific Rims.

The special screening of this well-renowned film has been organised by the Ruhuna University Alumni Colombo Association.(SJ)