A dusty little herd of elephants makes its way to the lake

Ah, there you are again, lurking behind that lens. You picked quite the moment to click away, didn’t you? Here we are, stepping out of the forest and onto this cracked old lakebed at Koma Wewa, all for a sip of what’s left of the afternoon water. The sun is blazing, the dust is sticking to our backs, and I can practically hear you thinking… don’t they look majestic! Well…thank you. We do try, haha. Now, before you get any closer, let me introduce myself properly. I’m a Sri Lankan elephant, thank you very much, and not just any Asian elephant. We’re a special subspecies, living only on this island. Notice the dark grey skin? And these pinkish freckles along my ears and trunk? Quite stylish, I know. Some of the boys in our population even grow huge tusks, but they’re few and far between. You’re more likely to meet a tuskless gentleman than a tusker these days. Anyway, you’ve arrived at the perfect time. My herd and I have been walking for hours. During the dry season, we sometimes travel more than twenty kilometres in a single day just to find water. Luckily, our memories are excellent. A good matriarch, like ours, remembers every stream, tank, and little hidden corner where water lingers, even when the rest of the world turns to dust.

Ah, look at that. The youngsters are already splashing. Typical. One moment they’re dragging their feet, the next they’re flinging water at each other. As for us adults, this is where we drink deeply, cool off with a bath, and maybe smear on a fresh layer of mud. It keeps us safe from insects and the sun, and honestly… it feels wonderful! If you hang around a moment longer, you’ll see how much we talk without saying a word. We rumble low and soft, sometimes so low you can’t hear it at all. We talk through the ground too, sending signals through our feet, calling out to herds that may be miles away. And these gentle trunk touches you’re watching? That’s how we greet each other, comfort each other, and remind the calves that they’re never alone. Our herds are led by a wise matriarch who teaches the little ones everything they need to know, from which plants taste best to which paths lead to water. Well, photographer friend, we’re off to enjoy what’s left of this precious pool before the sun dips. You’re welcome to watch, but please keep a respectful distance. Enjoy the moment. What you’re seeing isn’t just a drink by the lake. It’s a story of memory, family, and survival in Sri Lanka’s wild places.

On a glowing afternoon at Koma Wewa in Yala National Park, a small herd of Sri Lankan elephants wandered down to the edge of a drying lake, drinking, splashing, and soaking up a rare moment of relief from the heat. Visitors staying at Mahoora Tented Safari Camps often catch scenes like this during their safaris… quiet, fleeting reminders of the dry zone’s remarkable resilience.