Today, August 12th, is World Elephant Day. On this day, people who love elephants all over the world promise to protect elephants and their habitat. Elephants are MY FAVORITE animal!! Also, one of the most precious memories I have that makes me really determined to fight for elephants is my encounter with Sri Lanka’s Minneriya twins.
The Minneriya elephant twins were born in June 2020. I was told that this was Sri Lanka’s first recorded live birth of twins. Their names are Bhathiya, a boy, and Bhagya, a girl. I was super lucky to see these cute twins in August 2020!! The twins were born during the “Gathering”- the world’s largest gathering of Asian elephants.
I have visited Minneriya many times and seen hundreds of elephants. But l found out that a new farm water project may change water levels in the Minneriya Tank. This could threaten the Gathering, and the birth of twins like this may be the last we will see. It is very important even for my generation to understand the importance of elephant conservation and to do our part in protecting our elephants.
Dust bath
(Update Aug 28th, 2021): I just got some very sad news that Bhayga, the female twin, may have died. It has not been seen for many months. :(
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIr52_Ww_fE
I hope you remember me when you become the most famous photographer in Sri Lanka.
And I would also one day love to see the Bhathiya .
Love from Timur Manikkalingam
Great pics. You are so lucky to have seen the twins. Sad to hear that one must have died. Any news on that ?
Best wishes Petee
Pictures are amazing...Specially the dust bath images have captured the the real beauty of wild life.. Congratulations Mikal
Such a lovely write up, with beautiful pictures! Amazing Mikal! Looking forward to future posts!
Aneetha
Wonderful post and gorgeous pictures!