The Great Elephant Gathering Of Asia

Overview

“The Great Elephant Gathering of Asia”, directed by Dilum Alagiyawanna, explores one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife spectacles at Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka. Each year, hundreds of endangered Asian elephants gather around the ancient Minneriya tank, forming a rare natural phenomenon driven by seasonal water cycles. The documentary examines the ecological, social, and behavioral dynamics of these elephants, highlighting their intelligence, social harmony, and reliance on a fragile environment. It also reveals how this centuries-old irrigation system shapes the gathering, while addressing threats from human intervention. Beyond its cinematic value, the film influenced national policy to protect this ecosystem. It was an “Official Selection” at the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, New York (2016), and won the “Best Animal Behaviour Award” at the 13th Japan Wildlife Film Festival (2018) and the “Blue Green Era Presidential Award” (2019).