This
world famous migration is a circle of life
which,
in simple terms, means that there isn't a
start
or an end. Only where the herds are located
at
a particular time. The big determinant is the
availability
of pastures. The plains of Ngorongoro
Conservation
Area in Serengeti are a favored spot
as
grass abounds and the wildebeest find a safe
place
to graze. It is also here that over 500,000 new
calves
are born and many are taken by the nearby
waiting
Jackals or Hyenas.
New
borns have little time to strengthen their legs.
As
soon after birth, the “pilgrim" continues.
By
April, the rains are over in southern Serengeti
and
the plains have dried up. The great herds then
gather
and face the long march northwards and
westwards.
The natural lawn mowers abandon
the
exhausted grasslands of southern Serengeti to
head
for the already tall grass of the Western
corridor,
near the shores of Lake Victoria.
The
pioneers of the migration movement are
the
majestic herds of zebras. They prefer the long
stems
of the coarse grass. This way, they leave behind
shorter
grass which is favored by the wildebeests.
In
late June to July the mass start pouring into
the
Kenya Masai Mara reserve where fresh, tender
and
mineral-rich grass is already waiting. Here
they
meet the resident Mara populations which
add
up to about 150,000. Also commonly referred
to
as the Loita plains herds, they spend most of the
season
northeast of the Mara. When it gets dry, they
pour
into the interior of the Mara in search of greener
pastures.
The
migrating herds spend roughly 3 to 31/2 months
in
the Mara crossing through Sand
River, which is a
tributary
of the Mara along the boundary of Kenya
and
Tanzania.
They trek westwards and cross the
Mara
river and sometimes the Talek river. Usually
around
this time heavy rains on the Mau Escarpment
(origin
of Mara River) fill the Mara river to the
brim.
This
is a good time to watch the trunk-looking
Crocodiles,
while they await the forthcoming feast.
Finally,
the gnus (wildebeests) venture into the river.
This
gregarious coordinated behavior of the herds,
usually
teamed with zebras, creates an unimaginable scene.
Just
what the cameras have been waiting for.
They
wander along the river looking for a
convenient
crossing point. This is a moment
filled
with tension for both the gnus(wildebeests)
and
the audience.
They
survey for a less steep and with no obvious
danger.
Finally, one takes courage and plunges
into
the river and magically the rest falls onto
the
footsteps and in one organized line cross the river.
In
addition to the crocodiles, accidents also occur.
The
river’s current can be too strong for some especially
the
young ones. Or simply getting stuck between the rocks in
the
river and breaking limbs, a direct ticket to the jaws
of
the giant crocodiles. Finally, the crossing is done
and
the trek to their unknown (or known) destiny continues.
In
the month of October, they are already heading
to
Serengeti where the rains have treated the southern
grasslands
to lush, green carpet of rich grass. Once
again,
they are heading to the southern plains, where
a
new generation will be born to start the cycle of
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