Grassroots Grassroots - Vol 20 No 1 | Page 14

NEWS
Wildebeest migration routes
under threat – researchers
Reprinted From: http://bit.ly/31VuRmQ
Africa Geographic Editorial
R
esearchers have conducted a
lengthy pre-published study indi-
cating that the lesser-known wilde-
beest migration patterns throughout
East Africa are facing grave peril. The
scientists point to population growth
resulting in: range restriction, degrada-
tion and loss of habitats, agriculture,
poaching and artificial barriers such as
roads and fences. They highlight the ne-
cessity of urgent conservation measures
and commitment from the governments
of both Kenya and Tanzania.
Understanding migration
The yearly Great Migration of over a
million white-bearded wildebeest and
zebra through the Serengeti and Maasai
Mara ecosystems is perhaps the most
renowned large mammal migration and
generates enormous tourism revenue.
Importantly, the study notes that these
populations are not under threat, and
their movements are mostly unrestrict-
ed. However, poaching is still a chal-
lenge for conservation authorities.
Though by far the largest, this is not the
only wildebeest migration in East Africa.
The scientists emphasise that conserv-
ing smaller populations and migrations
is essential for several ecological and
socio-economic reasons.
Protecting a migratory route involves
complex analysis of the context in terms
of the human populations of the land.
Integral to this study was research into
historical wildebeest migration patterns
as well as their current status. Research-
ers attained historical information
through literature reviews, colonial-era
records, maps, GIS databases, records
of GPS collared wildebeest and inter-
views with residents and researchers
alike.
For current movements and status infor-
mation, 36 wildebeest across the study
range were collared, and their move-
ment tracked for two years. Wildebeest
population estimates used external
data compiled by aerial surveys and
various governmental, development
and wildlife organisations provided the
data on the anthropogenic aspects of
the analysis.
Disappearing wildebeest
This approach was made all the more
complicated by the fact that irrevers-
ible changes to the migratory popula-
tions and routes that occurred as early
as the beginning of the 20th century.
With this in mind, scientists examined
the Serengeti-Mara, Maasai-Mara, Athi-
Kaputiei, Amboseli Basin and Tarangire-
Manyara ecosystems and came to the
following conclusions:
• Serengeti-Mara – as discussed,
though the migratory routes have
changed slightly, the numbers have
remained stable (currently around
1.3 million animals) because the mi-
gratory pathways occur mostly with-
in protected areas. Referred to by
researchers as ‘southern migration.’
• Maasai-Mara – during the dry sea-
son (July-October) as the Serengeti
wildebeest move north into the
Maasai Mara, wildebeest from the
Loita Plains descend to the conserv-
ancies surrounding the Maasai Mara
National Reserve. Their numbers
have declined 80.9%, from 123,930
wildebeest in 1977-78 to less than
20,000 in 2016. Referred to by re-
searchers as ‘northern migration’.
• Athi-Kaputiei ecosystem – includes
Nairobi National Park, Athi Plains
and surrounding areas. This popu-
lation has declined 95% from over
26,800 in 1977-78 to under 3,000
in 2014, leading to a “virtual col-
lapse of the migration”. It is impor-
tant to note here that researchers
believe that many of these wilde-
Figure 1: The results to this research indicated that the lesser-known wildebeest
migration patterns throughout East Africa are facing grave peril. © Joseph Ogutu
13
Grassroots
Vol 20
No 1
March 2020