This is a season of plenty for the predators in the Maasai Mara, they always take advantage of the 'all you can eat buffet'. The wildebeest are usually accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras, gazelles, elands and, they are usually shadowed by nomadic lions and cheetahs.
The migration is a never ending calling for the wildebeests. Every year, they head north to the Maasai Mara for greener pastures and mating. They then head south, to the Serengeti. Between December and March, they reside in their calving grounds in the southern Ndutu plains. Heading north afterwards. April, May and June, they trek the south and central Seronera area into the western corridor and then the Gurumeti river. Between July and October, they reside in Maasai Mara, where they graze and mate. They always have to cross the Mara river. This is a death-defying experience for them, thousands die during the river crossings.
This year, the migration is going to be different. Due to the covid -19 pandemic, there are far less tourists compared to the previous years. The low numbers of tourism come with its own pros and cons.
The low volume of tourists means that the animals go about their day to day routines without constantly being shadowed by hundreds of tourist vehicles. There are also no vehicles blocking their river crossing points. However, the reduced tourist numbers signals an increase in poaching activities. There will be far more snares than they usually are. Poaching is one of the major threats to conservation.
As individuals in the hospitality industry, we all play a huge role in the conservation of our wildlife and their habitat. We now need to be more vigilant and involved in the conservation of our natural heritage.
I would rather see a hundred tourist vehicles rather than hundred snares....
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| Wildebeest silhouette. Maasai Mara, Kenya |
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| Wildebeest silhouette. Maasai Mara, Kenya |
