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Why do animals cross Mara River?
The animals see storms on the horizon and move toward them, knowing that the grass they eat grows after the rain. “They’re driven by such a strong instinct to follow those rains that they cross the river. It’s a tragic thing to observe, actually,” she said.
Which wild animal is known for its migration in Masai Mara?
Each year, over two million wildebeest, zebra and other herbivores trek from the southern Serengeti to the lush green grasses of the Masai Mara. Known as one of the seven wonders of the world, the great migration is an iconic safari must-see.
How many wildebeest cross the Mara river?
Each year, more than 1.5 million wildebeest trek from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara and back again in search of fresh grazing. Their crossing of the Mara River is the climax of this odyssey, a spectacle filled with drama, death and endeavour and one of Kenya’s best safari experiences.
Which animal is waiting for the wildebeests as they cross the Grumeti River?
During the migration, the herd will move towards the Western Corridor, where they will face the first major obstacle: crossing the Grumeti River. Many animals don’t survive the crossing as they are being awaited by the area’s population of oversized crocodiles ready to feast.
Are there crocodiles in Masai Mara?
Hungry Nile crocodiles lurk in the churning waters of the Mara River. They wait for tasty wildebeest and zebra to cross the river on their annual migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Their attacks are sudden and unpredictable and very often deadly.
Why do wildebeest cross the crocodile infested rivers?
Every year, between the months of August and October, thousands of wildebeest and other migratory animals such as Thomson’s gazelle and zebra will cross the Nile crocodile-infested Mara River waters in an attempt to reach the lush, green grass plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve.
What kind of animals are in Masai Mara?
We have categorized the wildlife into a general Mammal list to include the famous Big Five ( Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo ) and the Big Nine to additionally include the Cheetah, Giraffe, Hippo and Zebra. Notable Birds commonly found in Masai Mara are also listed below.
What is world beast?
Wildebeest (/ˈwɪldɪbiːst/ WIL-dib-eest, /ˈvɪl-/ VIL-, /-dəb-/), also called gnu (/njuː/ NEW or /nuː/ NOO), are antelopes of the genus Connochaetes and native to Eastern and Southern Africa.
Do lions eat wildebeests?
Lions prefer to hunt zebra and wildebeest; these animals are slower and easier to catch than gazelles and small antelopes. The actual hunt is an organised event, some lionesses lying in wait, downwind of the herd they have targeted.
What other animals migrate with the wildebeest?
The great wildebeest migration is one of the most phenomenal natural spectacles in the world. It is an annual movement by millions of wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebra, Grant’s gazelle, Thompson’s gazelle, elands and impalas across the greater Masai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
What animals are beasts?
There are many types of beast in the world: dogs, cats, horses, monkeys, birds, and fish are all beasts. Even tiny critters like bugs are beasts. A beast is basically any living thing, except for plants, because plants can’t intentionally move. People can be called beasts too when they behave in a beastly way.
How many wildebeests are there?
The populations of this species are on an increase. Now, more than 18,000 individuals are believed to remain, 7,000 of which are in Namibia, outside their natural range, and where it is farmed. Around 80% of the wildebeest occurs in private areas, while the other 20% is confined in protected areas.
What are the predators of wildebeests?
In fact, the wildebeest is better described as a reliable source of food for the truly menacing predators of the African savanna: lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas.
Why do zebras hang out with wildebeest?
The reason why zebra and wildebeest graze in harmony together is because they each eat different parts of the same type of grass. 6. Because wildebeest have no natural leader, the migrating herd often splits up into smaller herds that circle the main, mega-herd, going in different directions.
Are there hippos in Masai Mara?
There are large numbers of hippo in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Male hippos (bulls) rule over a particular stretch of river and generally have five to 30 female hippos and their young to watch over.