If you have never heard of Herd Tracker you are forgiven. After all, I too had not heard of it until they contacted me
a few weeks ago, asking if I were interested to get updates
from them about the movement of the great herds of
wildebeest and zebras constantly moving between the
Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
Here is a narrative about this year’s early move by the
herds and I hope you will all enjoy the read!
HerdTracker predicts the deadliest Grumeti River crossing of the decade?
The great wildebeest migration may face the most deadly Grumeti River crossing the Serengeti has seen in almost a decade.
According to HerdTracker, a recent drought has forced herds to move north, three months ahead of schedule which could mean herds cross the seasonal river when it’s at its fullest, giving famished crocodiles the upper hand.
Unusual Grumeti River crossing during Serengeti’s rainiest month
The wildebeest migration usually crosses the Grumeti River in June’s dry season when water levels are generally low. However, this year, herds are expected to cross the Grumeti River during the water-level-raising main rainy season (April – May), which could mean a significant increase in crocodile attacks on crossing wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle.
HerdTracker creator, Carel Verhoef says, “It looks like the herds in the Serengeti’s Western Corridor will be around the Grumeti River until June, which means that there’s a very good chance that we may see an action-packed Grumeti River crossing this year… and you only get those about once every ten years!”
April’s long rains has begun
Conrad (@HerdTracker’s tweeting wildebeest) announced today, that the annual Serengeti long rains of April has begun. “Finally! Rain in the @Singita_ Grumeti concession. Perfect timing too – April is the rainiest month in the Serengeti! ”, tweets @HerdTracker.
Hungry crocodiles play lead role in dramatic river crossing
An April – May Grumeti River crossing will mean the river is at its gorged peak when crocodiles find it easiest to hunt, making the event nail biting, yet exhilarating to behold. Seeing as the five metre long Nile crocodiles are infrequent eaters and wait for the migration river crossings to provide them with food, they are guaranteed to take advantage of the murky water and slowed herd crossing, thanks to the higher water levels.
Could 2015 be the year that offers travellers a glimpse into the Grumeti River’s deadliest migration crossing of the decade?
What is HerdTracker?
HerdTracker* is a web-app which plots the precise location of the great wildebeest migration in real time to a Google map and in a Twitter-style timeline. It’s publicly accessible from any web browser – desktop, mobile or tablet.
The precise location of the migratory herds is sourced weekly from four different trusted sources: pilots who fly over the Serengeti, safari guides on the ground, Tanzania National Parks Authority rangers and lodges in the Masai Mara in Kenya. These trusty sources also send us exclusive images and videos of the wildebeest migration to back-up their report.
March’s unexpected Serengeti drought
March was a very dry month in the Serengeti and images and video featured on HerdTracker from nearby camps and lodges in the area showed just how arid things were getting, forcing the wildebeest herds to desperately search for a more permanent water source. “The Serengeti, the surrounding plains, and the savanna-woodland has been extremely dry with the last proper rain being recorded during early January. This forced the herds to permanent water sources like the ones in the Hidden Valley, Ndutu, Moru Kopjes, Maswa and the Singita Grumeti dam. The migration was also spotted at the artificial dam in front of Four Seasons Serengeti Safari Lodge, the Seronera River system and the natural springs of Lobo and the north-eastern Serengeti,” Verhoef added.
The first time herds have been this early
HerdTracker contributor, and Singita Grumeti Guide Manager, Ryan Schmitt says that this is the first time that he’s ever seen the herds this early in the Grumeti region. “I’ve been here (in Grumeti) for around eight years now and typically when the herds do cross the Grumeti River, the water levels are quite low. However, since I’ve been here, this is definitely the earliest that the herds have come, in fact, they’re about three months early,” says Schmitt.
No missing out on the action
Those travelling to the Serengeti in early April don’t have to worry about missing out on the predator vs prey action. The lack of rain in the Serengeti may force thirsty game to drink from isolated pools in the area, where hungry Nile crocodiles are currently lurking. “Right now, the Grumeti River is dry, because of the lack of rain in the Serengeti. There might be a few pools of water further down the river and all the crocodiles that hang around them will be isolated in those pools, which means the wildebeest and zebra coming for a drink will be an easy target and we could see lots of action there.” says Schmitt.
HerdTracker: http://www.discoverafrica.com/HerdTracker/
