For miles around, there are grasslands, dotted with a few trees. The baking sun glares down onto the greenish brown grass. The cool breeze makes the heat just tolerable. The sound of wildebeest marching can be heard; it is their annual migration. The zebras and gazelles are on their annual expedition too.Embedded in their genes is the instinct to migrate, at approximately the same time every year. The zebras, along with most migratory animals in the Serengeti, are in pursuit of the jewel of life: water. While the zebras are in search for water, the wildebeest have a different goal. They are searching for lush, green pastures to feed on.
As the animals journey along, they face a grave danger – death from exhaustion, or being hunted by predators. The mother wildebeest aim to protect their babies. Often, the youngest animals are hunted down, because their flesh is softer than that of the adults. As the herd travels to find pastures, the lions, too, are on the move. They are observing the pack of wildebeest very carefully, to try and spot the one which is slower than the rest. After a couple of minutes, they notice a struggling baby and implement their hunting tactic.
Meanwhile, trudging along, the zebras are now forced to cross the Mara river. This river is infested with Nile Crocodiles. But, the herd must continue. It is vital that they reach their destination before the rains in the south begin. Many of the zebras are killed by the crocodiles, but the herd is relentless. The zebras run into the river just as if there was nothing there. Many zebras and crocodiles get trampled on, in the stampede of more than 200,000 animals; 800,000 hooves.
The wildebeest, in the interim, continue to be vigilant. After stalking the pack for an hour or so, the lions run at the wildebeest. Lions usually hunt at night, but, being opportunists, can also hunt, if the occasion arises, at any time of the day. The pack split up and run helter-skelter. In the chaos, a calf is separated from his mother. The lions are fast, but the wildebeest is faster. If the young wildebeest manages to stay strong and run, it can outrun the lions. But, the calf loses its footing and falls down. The lions sink their teeth into their fresh morning meal…
Elsewhere, the zebras are nearing their goal. Their journey encompasses 500 miles of travel, numerous attacks by hyenas, lions, cheetahs and crocodiles and no water for months. They have come to the end of their hardship, but will soon have to start the journey back when the rains arrive.
Finally, the pack of wildebeest has found their rations in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The grassy pastures of the north will feed them for a few months, before they return, in time to catch the rains in the south. The eldest now have one more journey under their belt, and the youngest have gotten a feel of how tedious this seemingly impossible, yet highly important journey is.
Millions of animals in the Serengeti and around the world have to face the ordeal of migrating. These journeys are rough and brutal with thousands of animals dying along the way. Yet the wonderful creatures of our earth pull off this amazing feat year after year.
A r n a v - W r i t e s 