Category: Hyenas, Poachers, Wildebeest, Zebras | Date: Jun 03 2008 | By: Kimojino

The zebras are still coming across the Mara River in large numbers from the Musiara Plains in the North. With them there are a few wildebeest, and slowly but surely the Triangle is starting to fill with animals. Yesterday we managed to capture a video of an early morning crossing, which you can watch by clicking here watch by clicking here. You will see that the crocodiles have been eating so well these past few days that they are becoming too lazy in their attempts to capture the crossing animals.

Zebras crossing the Mara River.

As I mentioned in my last post, poachers are also preparing for the big day when the wildebeest will be arriving in their thousands, coming Northwards from Serengeti. We can be sure that poachers have spent the last few months acquiring new arsenals of wire snares, which are indiscriminate in who they choose to catch.

Zebras in the Savannah Grasslands.

On Sunday at around 4pm, one spotted hyaena was found near Olpunyata at the central plains of the Mara Triangle. He had a serious wound around his neck inflicted by a wire snare which was still cutting deep into his flesh. He was feasting with other hyaenas on the carcass of a zebra, which had been injured by crocodiles when crossing the Mara River and then finally killed by the hyaenas. As the hyaena with the snare around his neck was feeding on this zebra we could see food spilling out from the open wound of his oesophagus. It was so sad to see.

Hyaena with snare around neck.

Three days ago, Rangers from Kokatende Rangers Post seized 107 wire snares on a single patrol in the Northern Serengeti, along the wildebeest migration route. This is now the beginning of a long battle that we rangers must fight, and will continue until next year in February when the wildebeest and other herbivores will once again leave the Mara Triangle.

Zebras massing at the river’s edge.

I am pleased to be able to give you all an update on Ranger Leyian’s progress, who was shot when chasing rustlers. He came back from Nairobi on the 31st and immediately went to his home to recuperate. Doctors said that if it had taken just one more hour for him to reach the hospital then he probably would not have made it, but thankfully now he is expected to make a full recovery. We thank God for his survival and we are planning to visit him at home.

William tells me that their will be a full donation report for the month of May shortly, and I thank all of you for continuing to support the Mara in this crisis. We truly hope that these are the last weeks of this crisis and that the tourists will soon return.

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