A Jumbo experience never to be forgotten

Hotel Sigiriya is synonymous with the magnificent surroundings of the legendary Sigiriya rock and is located in the forest which was once the pathway of Kassyapa's beautiful damsels who walked across to the water gardens of the citadel.

The Jumbo weekend held at Hotel Sigiriya last week was an experience never to be forgotten. The workshop was conducted for the second consecutive time and due to the overwhelming response the hotel was full with Elephant lovers, some who arrived the previous day and others who followed the next morning in a luxury bus provided by Serendib Leisure.

The programme commenced as scheduled after morning tea in the Hotel garden which also provides a magnificent view of the majestic Sigiriya Rock.

Elephants generally belong to two large categories, the African elephant and the Asian elephant. The African elephant belongs to two categories, the forest elephant and bush elephant. The Asian elephant is considered to be of three origins, the Indian elephant, the Sri Lankan elephant and the elephant from Sumatra, said Wildlife enthusiast and Photographer Lal Anthonis.

An appreciated audience was treated into a detailed description of the lifestyle of the elephant. The Sri Lankan elephant is different to the African elephant, in that its ears are smaller than that of the African elephant. The flapping of the elephant's ear is a functional aspect in that it serves to cool the blood circulation which when it reaches the head would otherwise be of a high temperature, causing discomfort to the animal. It serves as a natural blow fan.

A elephant herd is matriarchal and bull elephants are tolerated until such time they become sexually active, at which time they are pushed out of the herd and have to live alone. The strongest bull elephant is allowed in to the herd when a female is sexually active and is sent away quickly thereafter, Anthonis added.

Participants at the Jumbo Weekend joined the presentation conducted by Lal Anthonis and Wildlife enthusiast Srilal Miththapala, who is also the CEO, Serendib Leisure Hotels, with "Raja" a special guest at the presentation.

When "Raja" was led up to the audience, by his mahout, he was quite stiff but towards the end of the presentation, after much loving attention was showered on him, he became extremely friendly and willingly allowed many little hands to caress him. It proved beyond doubt, the intelligence of elephants.

Elephant mannerisms, mode of communication, acquisition of digestive enzymes, observation of ageing and many other factors were explained in minute detail using Raja as the medium demonstration.

The Jumbo Weekend included a visit to the Minneriya Park in open hooded Safari jeeps and a surprise awaited us all with a large herd of nearly 180 elephants, of all sizes and ages being sighted. A wonderful experience which would never be forgotten.

The cream of the cake was a slide show of the most beautiful and daring photography taken by Lal Anthonis in many of Sri Lankan nature parks, after dinner, on returning from Minneriya, in a totally relaxing environment.

Relaxation comes easy at Hotel Sigiriya, due to the natural surroundings and the next morning began with a bird watching tour in the jungles in close proximity to the hotel. Bird life thrives in the environment at Sigiriya and with the use of tripod binoculars, the most beautiful and rare birds were spotted.

Among those sighted were the Alexandrine Parakeet, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Black headed Ibis, Black hooded Oriole, Brahminy Kite, Brown headed Barbet, Common Mynah, Greater Coucal, Little Cormorant, Little Green Bee - Eater, Oriental Magpie Robin, Pheasant tailed Jacana, Red Vented Bulbul, White breasted Waterhen, White Browed Bulbul, White browed Fantail and white throated Kingfisher.

After a scrumptious buffet lunch, the much satisfied visitors headed back to Colombo with memories of a Jumbo weekend that will never be forgotten. The Jumbo Weekend was organised in an excellent manner and would no doubt be the precursor to many more in the future as well.