Friday, July 3, 2009

Breaking news! Wildebeest migration in Masai Mara




Contrary to what many people thought, the wildebeests have now entered the Mara! Many believed that with the amount of grass on the migration route, the wildebeest might not come to the Mara after all. On a fact finding mission round the Mara this morning, I confirmed that the annual natural event is now taking place here as usual. Though this is still in its’ initial stages, every indication shows that the stage is set for the world’s most fascinating wildlife spectacle. round the entry points along the Mara and Serengeti border.

A herd of almost 30,000 wildebeest have crossed the border near sand river gate. They could be seen this morning taking their traditional route towards Roan hill. Some have already moved all the way up towards Talek gate. The plains now between Mara Sarova, Roan Hill and Talek gate is teeming with the first herds that have moved into the area. The first animals arrived about 6 days ago.

Their movement however is slower because of the amount of grass in their way. Since May we have continued having intermittent rains which has made the plains covered in long green grass. This is expected to slow the migration movement north. Looking onto the Serengeti from the sand river, one can see isolated herds of zebra and wildebeest heading north though reluctantly. We anticipate this concentration to build as the herds push up north into the Mara.

Speaking to the northern Serengeti national park patrol personnel, they informed me that the rest of migrating herds are in the acacia woodlands between Seronera area and the international border.

The Loita population has also moved into the Mara. They came in about a week ago. A herd of about 4,000 zebras and wildebeest can be seen around Musiara gate in the north and others just south east of the Talek gate, and this consist mainly of Zebras. Their concentration however is still low but we expect a build up in the coming weeks.

The Mara predators in the areas where the herds are concentrated have suddenly woken up to the season of plenty again. The marsh pride lions have now established themselves along Bila Shaka stream where the wildebeest are coming for a drink. Since the entry of the migrating herds into the area, these lions have always had something to eat.

7 comments:

dianelionlover said...

Good news now the lions will have food a plenty....

Paul Kirui said...

The Olkiombo pride have already crossed the Talek river south to confront the herds head on, and Shakira is also in the same location

dianelionlover said...

Paul: is that the lion pride with the male lion Snaggle Tooth?

littlewid said...

Hi Paul. New to following your blog but will certainly keep following now i've discovered it.
It's good to know the marsh pride will have plenty to eat but I can't help feeling sorry for the Wildebeest, it's just the way I am.
Lets hope that Shakira and her girls don't run into any trouble with the lions in the area.
Is the Olkiombo pride the one with Cheza and sala?
littlewid-x-

Paul Kirui said...

The pride where Cheza and Sala were born into is th Ridge pride and is the same pride that had snaggle tooth, though has dissappeared from the pride for the past one month. We hope he will resurface now that ther is plenty to eat for the pride.

chuishah said...

Good news about migration, feast for the big cats! Wish I was there! How is Kali doing? Making his own kills?

Paul Kirui said...

yes Kali is now big. He can now hunt on his own. We have found him a couple of times with a kill up the tree. However, he is still with the mother and have both reloctaed to Mtamaiyu stream the last few days

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