Friday, August 30, 2024 Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Cinnamon Nature Trails, successfully orchestrated the second ‘The Gathering of Giants’ from August 9th to 11th, 2024, at the Cinnamon Habarana Complex. This significant event, supported by Seylan Bank, drew a global audience of wildlife aficionados, conservation experts, and nature enthusiasts. Centered on the remarkable elephant assemblies at Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, the occasion provided a unique opportunity for participants to observe and explore one of the natural world’s most stunning phenomena.
The symposium commenced with a sequence of engaging discussions led by renowned experts in conservation, including Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, Dr. Prithviraj Fernando, and Rohan Pethiyagoda.
They delved deep into the environmental hurdles Sri Lanka’s wildlife faces, specifically targeting the protection of the Asian elephants. Through their extensive research and expertise, they underscored the urgent need for sustained efforts to shield these noble creatures from habitat degradation and escalating conflicts with humans. A key moment of the symposium was the captivating keynote by the esteemed Indian conservationist and writer, Valmik Thapar.
He enthralled the audience with his vivid tales of ‘Charger,’ a famed tiger from Ranthambore National Park. His detailed accounts transported the attendees into the wild terrains of Ranthambore, showcasing the life of one of the most celebrated tige.