Wildlfe Update 19th May 2009

There has been unexpected rain in the Mara region over the past two weeks. The rains, though not as heavy as the usual long rains in April has turned the plains in the Mara into a sea of grass. The animals are now concentrated only in a few overgrazed patches in the reserve. The rain has also made some areas difficult to drive through, which is normal when we get this amount of rain.

Rain notwithstanding, game viewing is still good. For a first-time visitor to the Mara, it may appear empty, but you would require local knowledge to guide you to where the animals are currently concentrated. In these patches of short grass, it is now a constant competition between the grazers and the speed by which the grass is growing, due to the rains.

All the prides in our game viewing territory are still there and quite active. I should say it is also unusual to see lions very healthy at this time of the year, especially the cubs. Normally they would have already started getting thin as the food availability would be scarce now. The Ridge pride have taken the area between the Mara river and Topi plains over Rhino ridge as their territory.

Ol-Keju Rongai pride can be found just across the river from Mara Intrepids where there is a small congregation of herbivores on a short grass patch that has always been a rutting ground for the Topi.

Shakira the cheetah can now be found between Rhino ridge and Bila Shaka area. This is the area where there is still a concentration of game. Her three female cubs are quite active and each time perfecting their hunting skills as they learn from their mother.

The three male coalition of cheetah can still be seen around, and would occasionally meet with Shakira.

We also have one male in around Rhino ridge and another young female towards paradise plains all of whom adds to the list of the numerous cats we have around.

Olive, our leopard star has not been seen for the past four weeks. We see Binti and Kali though separately. Their sightings have also been very irregular. The high and amount of grass along the river where we usually see them makes it very difficult to see them sometimes. Some of the guides believe that Olive may be expecting a new litter but only time will tell.

Our guides also reported of another Leopard at Ol-Keju Rongai which was seen quite a few times.

Paul Kirui, Chief Safari Guide
Kindly contact: safariguide@mara-intrepids.co.ke for comments or inquiry on the migration and other interesting wildlifel sightings in the Mara, Rift Valley, Samburu and Tsavo West National Park