Resident zebra
Photograph by Paula Sachar
or thundering over the horizon in countless columns. This
would be the Serengetimigration whichpresently numbers
1.4 million animals or 30 times the size of the Liuwa
movement.
In October and early November, as the first large
thunderstorms reverberate across the plains, herds of
wildebeest, many being cows with their newly born gangly
calves, move from the north to the south east onto the
central southern plain.
They come in lines and clusters rather like the ketchup
bottle, none will come and then a lot will. At this time of
the year these herds will chase thunderstorms, in search of
the newly emerging grass and water accumulating in the
huge circular pans. These herds, some numbering up to 5000
strong are often in association with zebra.
In February, March and April the plains are inundated by
the Barotse flood water backing up from the Luambimba,
Luanginga and Zambezi rivers. The early rains, the flood
and early dry season are very beautiful times to be on the
plains with extraordinary flower blooms, large resident and
Palaearctic bird concentrations, large herds of red lechwe
besides the wildebeest and zebra herds.
Towards the middle of June, as the country gets drier, the
grass get browner and there is the first hint of smokein the
air and mist thickens over the pans in the early mornings,
the herds begin to move again – both west and then north.
Only a few territorial bulls will remain. The large herds will
remain in the north of the park for the dry season.
The main predator in the Liuwa is the hyena. There are
cheetahs and wild dogs on the plains. A few lions have
survived the depletion period of the 90’s and the hyena is
presently the apex predator. Some clans number up to fifty
Hyenas
Photograph by Paula Sachar
and have a healthy appetite and certainly have an impact on
the wildebeest population.
If poachingcan be managed it is not beyond the realms of
possibility that in twenty years the 43,000 strong population
could possibly reach the 100,000 figure which would make it
the largest land mammal population in Zambia.
This would take dedicated care and attention, however
the rewards would be reaped in the form of massive
international recognition for this province, Zambia as a
destination, huge kudos in wildlife management terms and
increased tourism development in the area which would in
turn create jobs.
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