Latest news with #TheGreatMigration
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Miami Herald
Tour groups block millions of wildebeest during iconic ‘Great Migration.' ‘Chaos'
Dozens of safari tour groups in Serengeti National Park were photographed blocking the river crossing of millions of wildebeest during their annual 'Great Migration' — widely regarded as one of the most impressive spectacles in nature. In an Instagram photo shared July 21 by wildlife guide and photographer Nick Kleer, tour vehicles and spectators could be seen standing along the banks of the Mara River, obstructing routes that have been traveled by the species for generations. 'These ancient migration routes, shaped by instinct and generations of survival, were blocked by humans who should know better,' Kleer said in the post. 'The herds were forced to scatter. Some ran for cliffs and jumped in panic,' Kleer said, calling the situation 'chaos.' 'The rangers who blocked these passages today are meant to be custodians of the wild,' Kleer said in the post. 'In my opinion, they ended up being as bad as poachers.' In a video about the experience, a shaken up Kleer said his small group was parked a safe distance away from the river on the opposite side, with extra space to allow the wildebeest to pass through since their usual entry and exit paths were blocked. Responses to the images The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators condemned the 'unethical safari practices' in a new release shared July 21. 'This behavior not only compromises the safety of guests and wildlife but also threatens the integrity of one of nature's most spectacular phenomena,' Executive Director Elirehema Maturo said in the release. Training sessions were held for over 1,000 guides across Tanzania to 'reinforce best practices in ethical and responsible guidance,' Maturo said. Kleer shared a photo of a press release from Tanzania National Parks stating that all vehicles involved had been identified and 'strict disciplinary measures will be taken' against the guides, according to a July 21 post on X. It is against park rules for tourists to get out of their vehicles at the area, officials said. The Great Migration The Great Migration is the largest mammal migration on earth. During this event, between 1 and 2 million wildebeest travel nearly 500 miles, beginning in Tanzania's southeastern Serengeti and trek north to Kenya's Masai Mara before returning in the fall. The massive heard travels in lines up to 25 miles long, facing perils including crocodile-filled rivers and lions, according to experts.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
Everything about Masai Mara, Africa's famous national park where Ranbir Kapoor proposed to Alia Bhatt
Ever wondered what was so special about Masai Mara that Ranbir Kapoor proposed to Alia Bhatt here? Well, Masai Mara is the soul of Africa, where golden sands are in contrast to the vast blue skies, creating a magical spectacle. It's a paradise for wildlife lovers and also happens to be Alia Bhatt's fav destination. Let's explore more about the place: Location Masai Mara is located in the southern part of Kenya along the Great Rift Valley area. It is some 224 km from the capital, Nairobi, and borders the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Both of these parks are part of the world's oldest ecosystem. This national reserve is located in a semi-arid area and is surrounded by Acacia trees. History of the land It is also the only reserve that is directly managed by the Masai tribe, unlike the other reserves and national parks that are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The place got its name in honour of the Maa people who occupy the land on which the reserve is present. This reserve in Kenya is one of the premium protected areas in the whole of Africa. In 1961, it was established as a wildlife sanctuary; then, in 1974, it was declared a national reserve; and in 1976, more land was added to it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The Maa people described the land as 'Mara' in their local language, which means 'spotted' when seen from afar. A wildlife paradise This reserve offers shelter to the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and black rhinos. You can easily spot the Big Five here, as this place has an ideal climate throughout most of the year. You can also spot the Big Nine African animals, along with 400 bird species ,most of them are migratory birds and one can also see 60 species of raptors here. Home to the Big Five This is one of the world's premier locations to spot Africa's king of the jungle, the lion. This species will definitely leave you awestruck with its strength, speed, and reputation. The African elephant can also be easily spotted here but has been threatened by poachers for its ivory tusks. In Mara, the population of elephants has grown over the years. There's a great population of the majestic leopards here too, but they are not as easy to spot and are listed as vulnerable due to their loss of habitat and human encroachment. You can go on the Masai Mara safari to spot these animals. The Cape buffalo and black or white rhino are also part of the Big Five. Whether it be white or black rhino, they are difficult to spot during the safari. The Cape buffalo is one of the most dangerous animals, and they are mostly found in herds of 100 or more. The Great Migration The biggest mammal trek in the world, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, 400,000 zebra, 12,000 eland, and 300,000 Grant's and Thomson's gazelles trek from Serengeti to Masai Mara. This sight is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ,everyone should witness it once in their life. It is considered that they start their trek in July and August and start arriving in Masai Mara around the same time, and around October, they start to leave. But nature does not live according to our timetable, so it's difficult to predict when you'll be able to witness it. They are basically trekking in search of greener, mineral-rich pastures and water. These herds are not safe from predatory animals, as while crossing the Mara River, crocodiles are waiting for them in the water, and in Masai Mara, these herds are threatened by the big cats as well. Masai Mara offers the best African safari experience with a wide variety of animals, like the Big Five or the migratory species that come into Masai Mara during the Great Migration. You can also get involved in authentic cultural activities with the Maasai people. This is the perfect spot for all the wildlife lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and a romantic getaway for lovers- you might not know, but you might be the next one getting proposed to on this beautiful land! (Image Credits: Canva)
NDTV
28-05-2025
- NDTV
5 Reasons Why Kenya Should Be On Every Wildlife Lover's Bucket List
We all grew up watching wildlife shows and documentaries on television. The thrill of seeing a lion chase its prey or a herd of elephants migrating offered a glimpse into a world far from our city lives. If you are someone who has a deep love for wildlife and everything that comes with it, then Kenya is where you should be heading. Located in East Africa, this fascinating country is not just a travel destination, but a raw and unforgettable experience. From iconic African safaris to sightings of rare animals, Kenya has everything to excite a wildlife lover. Here is why a trip to Kenya should be on every wildlife travel bucket list. Here Are 5 Reasons Why Kenya Is A Must-Visit For Every Wildlife Enthusiast: 1. The Legendary Maasai Mara And The Great Migration Very few wildlife events across the globe match the intensity of the Great Migration. Each year, over two million wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores cross the sweeping plains of the Maasai Mara in search of greener pastures. Watching them navigate crocodile-filled rivers while lions wait in the tall grass feels like witnessing a live wildlife documentary. While the migration typically takes place between July and October, the Maasai Mara remains a year-round safari hotspot, offering sightings of leopards, elephants, giraffes, and more. 2. Home To The Big Five Kenya is one of the rare places in the world where you can encounter all of the Big Five — the African lion, African bush elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and black rhino — on a single trip. National parks such as Amboseli, Tsavo, and Laikipia provide varied landscapes that attract an incredible range of animals. And it does not end there. Cheetahs roam the open savannahs, hippos bask along riverbanks, and if you are fortunate, you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive African wild dog. 3. Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters In Nairobi Would you like to feed a giraffe from your breakfast table or watch baby elephants being bottle-fed? Nairobi, Kenya's capital, offers unique urban wildlife experiences that are both intimate and impactful. At the Giraffe Centre, visitors can get up close with endangered Rothschild's giraffes. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust provides the chance to meet orphaned elephants being rehabilitated for release into the wild. These rare moments add a deeply personal touch to your wildlife journey. 4. Kenya's Diverse Ecosystems Kenya is much more than just open plains. From the snow-covered peaks of Mount Kenya to the pink-hued shores of Lake Nakuru, the country is home to a wide variety of ecosystems. In the Samburu National Reserve, you will find the rare 'Samburu Special Five,' including a unique type of zebra that is not seen in other parks. Whether you are in the arid north or along the coastal mangroves, each region of Kenya offers a fresh perspective on African wildlife. 5. A Blend Of Wildlife And Tribal Culture The magic of Kenya lies not only in its wildlife but also in the people who coexist with nature. Spending time with local communities such as the Maasai, Samburu, or Turkana provides meaningful insights into indigenous life and their relationship with the land. Many safari tours in Kenya partner with these communities, directly supporting conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices. It is this human connection that makes your trip even more impactful. Can you think of another destination that offers such a rich wildlife experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Greenville businesses feel impact of college students leaving
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Last week, thousands of Pirate graduates walked across the stage to receive their degrees and looking toward bright futures. But, the time after graduation brings a darker and more immediate future for some of Greenville's more permanent residents. The city of Greenville is in their own yearly edition of The Great Migration, as a majority of students make their way out of The Emerald City. It's not just their books and bags their taking with them, for many downtown shops and restaurants, they take the business with them. 'You know, it's a college town,' Nash Hot Chicken Owner Ryan Griffin said. 'Our backdoor is ECU, so we kind of ebb and flow with the campus.' 'It really hurts us downtown. Everyone, we had a huge scene downtown with all of graduation and everything, but once the students leave, we just get nothing,' 5th Street Hardware Restaurant and Taproom Assistant Manager Adam Kenney said. Because this is an annual thing, business owners like Griffin prepare ahead of time for the loss of traffic. 'We got some data now that we try to look at and see where the sales drop off, and what labor we can use to keep the doors open, but still keep customers having a good time,' Griffin said. It isn't just customers that make their way out of town in the summer months. Many staffing positions open up and that's something Griffin said is inevitable in his line of work. 'Anything in the restaurant business is high turnover, especially in a college town,' Griffin said. 'A lot of our front house staffers, servers are college students, but we're used to that now so we have our college group that goes and then we have a couple good local people that stay through the summer and help us through all the hard times.' The loss of personnel can hit some businesses harder than others. 'It's terrible. Just this year entirely, we just lost nine people on our staff because they're all graduating,' Kenney said. Kenney said they are always posting job openings on social media. Griffin, Kenney and Owner of Sup Dogs and Crush Bret Oliviero said all said they're looking forward to the business boom when students come back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / How climate change affects animal migration
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Download a free 6 Minute English worksheet and transcript! Try our free interactive quiz! ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Try more episodes of 6 Minute English: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Introduction Climate change can affect the way animals migrate, but did you know that some animal migration could be used to fight climate change? Neil and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. This week's question How many animals are thought to take part in The Great Migration, the annual migration of animals around the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya? a) 1 million b) 1.5 million c) 2.5 million Listen to the programme to hear the answer. Vocabulary migrate move to another place because of the weather or temperature what kind of (something, e.g. price, distance) are we talking? used to rephrase a question that starts with how much or how far swathes large areas of something secret weapon something nobody knows about that gives you an advantage over a problem or enemy sequester separate and store for perspective used to explain the size or importance of something, particularly when that thing is difficult to imagine TRANSCRIPT Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript. Beth Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Beth. Neil And I'm Neil. You can find a transcript and worksheet for this podcast on our website Beth So Neil, today we're talking about animal migration: that's the movement of animals from one place to another, usually because of the weather or temperature. Neil Yes. For example, wildebeest are famous for their migration. They travel around the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya every year depending on the rain. It's often called The Great Migration. Beth Yes, and I have a question for you about this, Neil. How many animals are thought to take part in The Great Migration every year? Is it: a) 1 million b) 1.5 million c) 2.5 million Neil Well, I don't know… but I'm going to guess 2.5 million. Beth OK. I'll reveal the answer at the end of the programme. Now, wildebeest are not the only animals who travel large distances. Neil That's right. Many sharks also migrate – they move to a different place because of the weather or temperature. Beth Trisha Atwood researches sharks and their migration for Utah State University and explained more to BBC World Service programme, The Climate Question. Trisha Animals migrate for all types of reasons. So, some of them migrate for food resources, things like mating or for giving birth. Neil So, animals can migrate for food, mating and giving birth. Host of BBC World Service's The Climate Question, Sophie Eastaugh, wanted to know more. Sophie And what kind of distances are we talking with these migrations? Are they covering huge swathes of ocean? Trisha Some of these shark species can travel massive distances. We've seen great white sharks that have travelled from the coast off of Perth, Australia, all the way to South Africa. Beth Sophie asks, "What kinds of distances are we talking with these migrations?" This is an informal way to ask, "How far are the migrations?" We can rephrase lots of questions in this way. For example, you could ask "What kind of price are we talking?" to ask how much something costs. Neil Sophie goes on to ask whether sharks travel across huge swathes of ocean. Swathes of ocean means large areas of ocean. Beth Yes, and in fact, sharks do travel across large areas. For example, great white sharks can travel from Australia to South Africa. That is a long way to swim! Neil But, as climate change causes changes to the temperature of the ocean, it's changing the way that sharks migrate. Beth This is a problem; sharks scare away other creatures, such as sea turtles, and these creatures eat seagrass, which absorbs a lot of carbon from the atmosphere. Neil So, basically, when the sharks are around, there's more seagrass on the ocean floor and so more carbon is absorbed. So, sharks can actually help fight climate change. Beth Yes. In fact, lots of species that migrate are really important for fighting climate change. Let's hear more from BBC World Service programme, The Climate Question. Sophie Sharks aren't the only migratory animal that acts as a secret weapon against climate change. Trisha Research that we worked on shows that by just managing about 10 groups of animals we could be taking out or sequestering more CO2 from the atmosphere by about six gigatonnes of carbon per year. Sophie So, for perspective, some experts say that we need to suck 10 gigatonnes of CO2 a year out of the atmosphere to meet our climate goals. Neil Sophie says that many animals that migrate, like sharks, are a secret weapon against climate change. A secret weapon is something nobody knows about that will give you an advantage over a problem or enemy. Beth By protecting sharks and other animals that migrate, Trisha's research shows that we could be sequestering six gigatonnes of carbon dioxide, or CO2, a year from the atmosphere. Sequester means remove and store the carbon, for example in plants like seagrass. Neil Six gigatonnes is a lot of carbon! Sophie says that, for perspective, it's about 60% of the amount of carbon dioxide that some scientists believe we need to remove from the atmosphere each year. We can use the phrase 'for perspective' to explain the size or importance of something, particularly when it's difficult to imagine that thing. Beth Alongside sharks, another species that Trisha believes is important to helping remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is the wildebeest. Neil Yes, and that reminds me of your question, Beth. You asked me how many animals take part in The Great Migration, and I think I went for option c) 2.5 million. Was I right? Beth You weren't, I'm afraid. The answer was b) 1.5 million, so still a lot of animals. OK. Let's recap the vocabulary we've learned, starting with migrate: move to a different place. For animals, this is usually because of the weather or temperature. Neil We can use the structure 'What kind of (something) are we talking?' to rephrase a question more informally, particularly one about distance, cost or numbers. For example, "What kind of distance are we talking?" Beth Swathes means large areas of something. Neil A secret weapon is something nobody knows about that gives you an advantage over a problem or enemy. Beth If you sequester something, such as carbon dioxide, you remove it and store it. Neil And we can use the phrase 'for perspective' to explain the size or importance of something, particularly if that thing is difficult to imagine. Beth Once again, our six minutes are up. Why not test what you've learned using the interactive quiz on our website? Bye for now! Neil Goodbye.
