WILDEBEEST MIGRATION 2004
August 16, 2004
The wildebeest and zebra herds continue to move randomly throughout the reserve in the past week. However, the rain that swept through the park for the last four days has now changed the movement pattern. Most animals are now headed to recently burnt grasslands in anticipation of lush grazing on the fast growing red oat grass (Themeda triandra). If the rain that came last week is anything to last another week, then these plains will be the center of activities in the coming month, as most herbivores will flock here and so will the predators.
The migratory herds on the Mara triangle continued to amass in the pass week and since most of the plains here were recently burnt, then we expect the most animals to stick here for sometimes. The two herds on the eastern side of the Mara River, one at rhino ridge and the other on the central plains are all drifting westward towards the river and possibly cross onto the triangle. While they are doing this some herds are crossing over from the triangle east onto paradise plains.
The predators have now established their territories where they continue to feed on the transient food. At least four prides of lions of individuals ranging from 17 to 20 have camped between the Talek River to the east of Mara Intrepids and paradise plains.
A female cheetah with three cubs continues to roam around rhino ridge and Bella the female leopard is now seen every day a kilometer to the east of Mara Explorer along the Talek river where was seen killing a grant gazelle last week. This is her favorite spot since some wildebeest come to drink and cross here giving her ample opportunity to feed herself and her one year old son kiayoni
We expect lots of activities in the coming week due to the rains. Please check for our update from the front line again next Friday.
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