Bloody river mara. Great Mara River Crossing
In nature, everything is subject to unspoken laws: from year to year, animals, obeying instincts, make long journeys in search of food. Annually from May to September in the valley African river Mara, flowing between Kenya and Tanzania, one can observe amazing phenomenon – great animal migration. More than two million animals go to green pastures, overcoming many obstacles on their way. Wildebeest, zebras and gazelles are real nomads of our time.
In search of food, animals travel from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Kenya's Masai Mara. The main obstacle on their way is the Mara River, which herds of animals ford. Of course, many of them die, becoming easy prey for lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs and jackals. During migration, predators follow on the heels of herbivores. The crossing of the Mara is considered one of the most difficult and most dramatic episodes in animal migration, many films have been made about this. documentaries.
Crossing the river, some animals are trampled, others drown. Another danger awaiting them in the water is crocodiles, which also prey on defenseless "swimmers". An estimated 1.5 million wildebeests and 300,000 zebras go out every year to find food and water, but 250,000 animals typically die along the way.
Amazing, but this bloody path animals have been doing for centuries. Studies show that antelopes have been grazing in the Serengeti for over a million years. Perhaps, the migration of animals in Africa can only be compared with a beautiful and at the same time tragic sight.
The Mara River flows through Kenya and Tanzania African continent, crossing the migratory path of the wildebeest and many other animals in the Serengeti reserve. Every year, millions of animals cross this most dangerous area- this process will be discussed in the article.
More than two million animals such as wildebeest, zebras and gazelles migrate from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park to the greener pastures of Maasai Mara in Kenya between July and October. This animal migration is often referred to as the Great Migration, one of the largest in the natural world. One of the most dangerous moments is the section of the Mara River, which lies right on the route of the animals. Many documentaries have been filmed about this phenomenon, since it is here that the world's largest intersection is concentrated. wildlife.
The Great Move is taking place within the entire Serengeti Mara ecosystem for a very large territories. Animals come here in huge herds in an endless search for food and water. Their path for several months lies through the Masai plains, until eventually they reach the Mara River.
Wildebeest reach the river in tens of thousands of individuals and gather here in huge herds before starting the crossing. For many days they wait for their brethren to begin the transition in as many numbers as possible. Then they choose the safest point, where there will be less vegetation, and, accordingly, predators, as well as a calmer current. But sometimes it turns out that the place turns out to be unsuccessful and the animals die here in the hundreds, or even thousands.
This river and its crossing is the single biggest obstacle for animals during their Great Migration. During the crossing, many animals die in narrow places, being simply trampled down by their brethren, or drown from a breakdown. Also, going here a large number of crocodiles that are only happy for easy prey, preying on animals struggling to reach the river bank. Maasai Mara also has one of the most large populations lions in the world, along with hyenas, leopards, cheetahs and other carnivores. They are also not averse to hunting antelope, which they do with ease.
Every year, approximately one and a half million wildebeests and 300,000 zebras go in search of food and water. Their journey is long and cruel, and every year about 250,000 antelopes never make it to their final destination.
The Mara River is located in Africa and flows through the territory of the Masai Mara reserve of the same name. It is remarkable in that it serves as a crossing for thousands of ungulates, which annually cross it several times in search of pastures or when moving to new places.
Geographic location
Mara - a huge river in its length and basin in Kenya and Tanzania, it flows in the northern part of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem. Its source is in central area the state of Tanzania, then it crosses it and flows through the territory of Kenya. The length of the river is 395 km, the basin area is more than 13.5 thousand square meters. km, of which 65% is in Kenya and 35% in Tanzania.
This mighty river surrounded by beautiful scenery and is home to one of the most spectacular events in Africa - the crossing of herds of animals during the Great Migration.
The course of Mary can be conditionally divided into 4 parts:
- The slopes of the Mau at the confluence of the Amala and Nyangores tributaries.
- Pastures in Kenya, where the Talek, Engare, Engito tributaries flow into the river.
- The territory of the reserve.
- downstream in Tanzania.
Animal world of the reserve
Mara is stormy and in many places has high sandy shores, and many Nile crocodiles live in its waters. They are always waiting for their prey. Hippopotamuses also live here. most lives are submerged in water and prefer places protected from the hot African sun.
Huge herds of bison graze on the banks of the river, who find pastures with green grass here, as well as groups of giraffes who prefer to eat leaves in the shady groves of African acacias. Not far from the banks of the Mary is located dense forest With big trees, the only one in the region.
Whole flocks of birds (waterfowl and birds of prey) are grouped around the Mary River, waiting for their prey, which is available during a large migration of animals.
The river runs along the border between the Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara. On their territory they organize safaris for tourists.
Animal relocation
Every year, more than 1 million wildebeest, zebras and buffaloes migrate through the reserve and the Mary River (Africa). When crossing the river, thousands of animals die: they drown in the river or they are attacked by crocodiles, which live in huge numbers in the river basin. Research by scientists is carried out in order to prove the impact of the mass death of antelopes on the ecology of Mary, which for local residents considered a cult river.
During the year, antelopes cross the river several times, which often leads to the drowning of animals and their death from the teeth of crocodiles. Research by scientists over 5 years showed that more than 6 thousand animals die here every year, especially many drownings occurred from 2001 to 2015. After the death of animal corpses, fish, birds and animals begin to eat them. The most frequent scavengers visiting carcasses of dead animals are Marabou storks and vultures.
The remaining bones are then slowly isolated into external environment various nutrients, which serves as a medium for the growth of algae and affects the entire food chain rivers. Animal bones become a source of phosphorus.
Antelope Migration Watch
Many tourists or adventurous people who prefer to spend time on safari in Africa come to the Mara and Serengeti reserves specifically to watch the migration of animals. Their time is largely determined by rains, that is, it is impossible to predict it in advance.
According to local staff, the optimal period for observation is 2 periods:
- from December to March;
- from May to November.
After the rains in March wet ground is covered with green grass, and then the antelopes begin to move in search of grasslands to the southern plains. In April, the animals begin their migration to westbound which often coincides with a period of prolonged torrential downpours.
As a rule, the movement of antelopes, zebras and gazelles (about 1.5 million) occurs in a circle around the Serengeti ecosystem. Predators and scavengers follow the animals, providing food for several months ahead.
Environmental issues Masai Mara reserves
IN last years the employees of the reserve are facing problems related to the depletion of water in the Mara River. This is due to drought in upstream areas. Negative influence the ecosystem is also affected by human activities - overexploitation natural resources in the river basin. Drought occurs as a result of the actions of loggers and farmers who arbitrarily seize land and destroy forest plantations.
More than 1.1 million people live in the territories adjacent to the Mary River basin, the number of which is growing every year. Population growth due to the uncontrolled arrival of migrants can be a disaster for local residents, livestock and the whole surrounding nature generally.
The river serves many animals every year, giving them life and water, but it also takes millions of their lives. mass death antelopes and zebras during the migration season is a dramatic event and a grandiose performance against the backdrop of wild nature, which can be observed by people who come to see for themselves.
Ashirhumara - mountain peak in Karachay-Cherkessia, located in the watershed of the rivers Burnaya and Bolshaya Laba. Height - 2923m. There are two constituent elements in the name of the oronym, where Ashir, according to some researchers, is a proper name, derived from the Turkic ashirgan - "guide". According to others, Ashir is a derivative of ashva - the Abkhazian version of the name of the Abazin-tapant, - r - the possessive affix "them". There is an opinion that the second part of the oronym is based on the Kabardian-Circassian word khumen (khumen) - “to protect”. H.S. Bgazhba in the monograph "Bzyb dialect of the Abkhaz language" notes that archaic surnames that have become remnant, preserved in legends, historical stories and in toponymy, the Abaza surname “Humarinovs” (Khumaraa) also applies. J.N. Kokov suggests that the Abkhaz-Adyghe anthroponym lies at the heart of the component khumara (kh1vmara). Abaza surname Humaraa ("Humarinovs"), Adyghe name Humaran. According to S.Ya.Baychorov, khumara (khomu ara) is a Proto-Bulgarian word and means “middle of the gorges”
Gamaran court (Gamyrbert) - mountain peak in the Urus-Martan region of the Republic of Chechnya. Located in the headwaters of the river Goichu; height - 877m. It is translated from Vainakh as "sand peak".
Gamaran coolie - source south of the village of Benoy (Nozhai-Yurt district of the Republic of Chechnya). Translated from Vainakh as "sand spring"
Hammarashka - a tract on the outskirts of the village of Tsentoroy (Nozhai-Yurtovsky district of the Republic of Chechnya). It is translated from Vainakh as “to the sands”, where gum (g1um) is “sand”, - w is an indicator plural; final - ka - indicates the direction to the given object
Jimara - Mountain peak, highest point North Ossetia; located in the upper reaches of the Genaldon River, at the head of which lies the glacier of the same name. The village of Dzhimara is located in the upper reaches of the Genaldon River. According to A.Dz.Tsagaeva, this is one of the oldest toponyms, traced back to the Cimmerians, who were called gamerite in the Nart legends. The original name of Guimar, transformed into Jimara. Mountain height - 4780m
Dzhimarai-Khokh - mountain peak in the republic North Ossetia, is located in the northeastern spur of the Main Caucasian Range (Kazbek). Height - 4773m. It is translated from Ossetian as “a mountain under which wild chickens were hunted” (Ossetian), where dzhimarak is “wild chicken”; hoh - "mountain". According to another version, the name was based on the name of the Jimek tribe, who once lived in this area. In the same massif there is the Dzhimaraisky Pass, which separates the Midagrabin and Suatisi glaciers; height - 3600m
Timaran giechuo - a tract in the Grozny region of Chechnya; located north of the village Berdakel, on the Sunzha River, where, according to legend, Timur crossed with his army. The toponym is translated from Vainakh as "Timur's crossing"
Tumaran zok - a farm in the Shatoisky district of Chechnya; located on the northwestern slope of Solnechnaya (Gelin Kort, 1861 m). It is translated from Vainakh as “cattail beak”, where tumaran is “cattail”; z1ok - "beak". The river of the same name flows here.
Humara - the area between the rivers Kuban and Teberda, at their confluence. Translated from Circassian as "line of defense", from humen - "protect" (Cherk.). In ancient times, the Karachay defense line passed here, and now the city of Karachaevsk is located in this place.
MARATUK (MARATUKI) (884) - peak on the left side of the valley of the Pshekhi river (Absheron region). The name is based on the family name Meretyku.
MARATUK OR MARATUCHKA - left tributary. Pshekhi, flows into it near the village of Maratuk. 2-3 km from the mouth up p. Maratuk there are 4 dolmens, called Maratuk. The name of the genus Meretyku formed the basis of the name of the river and the village.
HUMARA - From Human (cherk.) -. But maybe the generic name of Humaraa (abaz.) - Humarovs
See general.
The Masai Mara is located in the southwest of Kenya and, in fact, is a northern extension national park Serengeti, located in Tanzania. Masai Mara is famous big amount the animals inhabiting it, as well as the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. Every year, around July, these animals begin migrating north in huge herds from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh grass, returning south in October.
The route of ungulates passes through the Mara River. Exactly this dangerous place travel, as dozens of hungry crocodiles are already waiting for their victims. Paolo Torcio, a photographer of Italian origin who has been living in Kenya for 20 years, captured the drama of the crossing.
(Total 13 photos)
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1. Paolo: “Noise, dust, smell, standing in a time of chaos? unforgettable. Crocodiles take advantage of the panic in the water, they calmly choose their prey, and then kill it. After the attack, the victim is pulled under water, where it gradually chokes. As sad as it is, this is the reality of the wild.” (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
2. “Animals understand danger well. Individuals wait on the shore until they accumulate there great amount. The pressure from the rear is constantly increasing until the first animals have to enter the water. Then the constant wave of animals becomes unstoppable.” (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
3. (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
4. (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
5. (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
6. (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
7. (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
8. (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)
9. (Picture: Paolo Torchio / Barcroft Media)