Category: An Urgent Appeal | Date: May 22 2008 | By: Kimojino

Yesterday the 21.5.08 at around 11.00 am, a herd of zebras from the Loita plains crossed the mara river,from the Musiara side to the Mara Triangle side. The river as usual is home to the world’s largest Nile crocodiles, and largely depends on migratory game crossing the mara river.

Zebras looking for a suitable point to cross

The Loita herds who resides to the North outside the reserve are always the first to arrive into the reserve before the Serengeti herds. After crossing the mara river, they headed further to the south to meet the Serengeti herds. This southerly movement across the reserve is so beneficial to the large predators who have been starving for many days. The Nile crocodiles who since the last wildebeests migration season are so eagerly waiting for such a day to happen. The resident spotted hyaenas are also yawning for this day. The african white-back and Rupell`s griffon vultures, who normally soar in large circles over the plains looking for kills are also waiting for the big day.

African white-back vultures

Yesterday marked the beginning of this year’s migration season. The Loita herds entered into the reserve from the Musiara paradise plains to the mara river one week ago and are now crossing the crocodile infested mara river into the heart of the Triangle. Many zebras crossed yesterday successfully.

One stallion got one of its front leg badly broken while negotiating a rocky section of the river. The zebra managed to get out the river,but could not walk nor stand. It keeps trying but all in vain as narated by a Mara Siria camp driver who saw the whole crossing.

Vultures struggling to reach the carcass

The hyaenas came in immediately and ends the zebra’s journey. I arrived at 11.47am to find one hyaena and vultures still fighting over the carcass fifty metres away from the river. In the river the crocodiles are struggling against one another over a zebra foul kill. I was so surprised by their feeding behaviour that I even forgot to count them. It was so interesting that I wished my friend Deed was present. So the season has started and thus the feast.

Crocodile spinning to cut out a piece

Who will be feasting is a big question to answer. This feasting season means a lot to us here at the Mara Triangle. Yes all herbivores will come back into the reserve from the community grazing lands up the escarpment. Large predators will once again return into the reserve and peace will return to villagers. Poachers are also waiting for the arrival of Wildebeests and zebras and that is why no recent poaching activities have been detected so far this month. They are acquiring and preparing wire snares for the day to come.

Rangers are also gearing up for this season to prove their capability of protecting these visiting herds and worldwide many tourists coming to see the migration. It is indeed a big season.

We appeal to all individuals and organisations to kindly support our efforts of fighting poachers this coming migration season. The Mara Conservancy has been running because of your support and we need you now more than before, for the task ahead is so pressing and challenging. Security patrols must be maintained at day and night, so much funds are required to accomplish this.

Once again thanks to all those who have donated to us, for without your donations we couldn’t manage this far.