Big Cat and Migration Updates - Maasai Mara, Kenya. June 6th, 2008

The month of May was significantly wet, and the sprouting grass made it harder to spot animals. Nevertheless, recent weeks have been promising, and Heritage will continue to update you regularly on the changing weather conditions across the Mara ecosystem.

Lions:
Lions sightings were reportedly poor during the month of May, mainly due the rains in April. Most animals have moved to areas where the grass is shorter to avoid predation and to look for more nutritious shoots. The Ridge Pride has been highly mobile lately, combing larger territories in search of food.

Shonko Pride has been seen at their territory near Olkeju-Rongai over-lapping all the way to Maji ya Eland area where food is available. There are three adult males currently, and an intriguing battle with a couple of nomadic males is brewing – this promises to be interesting! Our guests at Siana Springs have enjoyed regular sightings of the Sekenani Pride, just to the west of Sekenani Gate and another pride near Keekorok airstrip.

Leopards:
Leopard have become elusive, with only a few reported sightings over the month. The long bushes along the river banks and tall grass on the plains make them quite difficult to spot. Olive and Bella are still around their territories and they have been seen though irregularly. The male that is found beyond Rekero has established his territory, and has been seen there quite a few times.

Meanwhile our Siana Springs guests continued to enjoy the sighting of a female leopard around Kissinger Area and another one just after Sekenani Gate in the typical ‘leopard pose’ up the trees scanning the plains and open ground for action

Cheetah:
Cheetah sightings were not good at the beginning of May, but also improved markedly towards the end of the month. As well as regular sightings of a female with a single cub near the hippo pool at the main Mara River, our guests have been treated to several encounters with a female to the northeast of the Intrepids and Explorer camps.

MIGRATION UPDATE
The first sign of the greatest wildlife spectacle this year, the wildebeest migration, is now evident - a large herd of resident zebra migrants from the Loita Plains moving into the reserve from the east. Their entry into the park around this time is usually an indication that the southern migration is eminent. These herds of zebras were seen moving across Olorukoti and Paradise Plains, crossing the Mara River at the main crossing point onto the Mara triangle. Our guests have witnessed a lot of predation at these crossings as the crocodiles welcome their season of plenty.

Watch this space for our updated Migration reports from the frontline.