Sri Lanka is really great for seeing elephants. Many people think it’s one of the places in Asia to watch them. Minneriya National Park is a spot for wildlife lovers.

* It’s in the Cultural Triangle, which’s a popular area to visit.

* This park is famous for “The Gathering” an event that happens from July to September.

And

* During this time hundreds of elephants come to the Minneriya Tank reservoir because other water sources are drying up.

* When you go on a jeep safari you can see lots of elephant including mothers, babies and big males with tusks. They play, bathe and eat together.

If you want to see elephants in places Sri Lanka has many parks that help protect them.

1. Udawalawe National Park in the south is great for seeing elephants all year

* The park has plains and big mountains making it a beautiful place to visit.

* You can see elephants in their habitat, which is really cool.

2. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, near Kegalle takes care of elephants that are hurt or alone.

* It has been doing this since 1975. Is a safe place for them to live.

Sri Lanka really cares about protecting its elephants.

* You can see elephants moving into Kaudulla National Park through paths.

And

* At Pinnawala you can watch elephants bathe in the Maha Oya River every day.

* These places show how much Sri Lanka values its elephants and wants to keep them safe.

Wild elephants move around parts of Sri Lanka. They move based on when it rains and where they can find water. Here are some of the national parks to see elephants:

 1. Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks

These parks are near The Cultural Triangle.

* The best time to go is from July to October. This is the season.

* The best thing to see is “The Gathering.” This is when up to 300 elephants come together around the Minneriya tank. It is one of the wildlife sights in Asia.

And

* A good tip is to ask your driver which park has the most elephants on that day. The elephants move freely between Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu Eco Park.

 2. Udawalawe National Park

This park is in the Southern Region.

* You can see elephants all year round. This is because the park has a lake that is always full of water.

* The best thing to see is the open fields. These fields make it easy to see groups of elephants baby elephants and big male elephants.

 3. Yala National Park

This park is on the Southeastern Coast.

* The best time to go is from February to June.

* The best thing to see is the groups of elephants. They walk through the bushes and fields near the coast.

 Ethical Conservation Centers

If you want to see elephants that have been hurt or are alone you should go to places that help them get better. You should not go to places that just want to entertain tourists.

* Elephant Transit Home is a place. It is in Udawalawe. This place helps baby elephants that’re alone or hurt. It takes care of them. Then lets them go back into the wild. You can watch the baby elephants being fed from a place.

* You should not go to Pinnawala. This place has been criticized by animal experts. They do not think it is a place for elephants.

Fascinating Facts About Sri Lankan Elephants

* Some male elephants have tusks.. Not many Sri Lankan elephants have tusks. This is because of something in their genes. Because people used to hurt them for their tusks.

* Elephants live in groups led by the female. The male elephants live alone. Only come to the group when it is time to have babies.

As well AS 

* If you look closely you can see light brown spots on the elephants ears, trunks and faces. These spots get bigger as the elephants get older.

Safari Etiquette

You should be careful when you are on a safari. You should follow some rules to keep you and the elephants safe.

* Keep a distance from the elephants. If you get close it can stress them out.

* Be quiet when you are near the elephants. Ask your driver to turn off the engine when you stop near a group of elephants.

And

* Do not ride elephants. It is not allowed in Sri Lanka except, for some ceremonies. You should not support places that offer elephant rides or make elephants do things they do not want to do.