The Mara River is located in Africa and flows through the Masai Mara reserve of the same name. It is notable for the fact 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 is a huge river in Kenya and Tanzania in its length and basin, it flows in the northern part of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem. Its source is located in the central region of 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 is surrounded by beautiful scenery and is home to one of Africa's most spectacular events, the Great Migration Crossing.
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.
- Territoryreserve.
- Downstream in Tanzania.
Further, the Mara flows through the swamps and then flows into the lake. Victoria, East Africa. On the border between Kenya and Tanzania, the river flows through the famous Serengeti.
Animal world of the reserve
Mara is rugged and in many places has high sandy shores, and many Nile crocodiles live in its waters. They are always waiting for their prey. Hippos also live here, which are immersed in water for most of their lives 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 Mary there is a dense forest with large trees, the only one in this region.
Whole flocks of birds (waterfowl and birds of prey) gather 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. Safaris for tourists are organized on their territory.
Animal Relocation
Every year more than 1 million wildebeests, 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 in huge numberslive in the river basin. Scientists are conducting research to prove the impact of the mass death of antelopes on the ecology of the Mary, which is considered a cult river for local residents.
During the year, antelopes cross the river several times, which often leads to 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 the carcasses of dead animals are Marabou storks and vultures.
Then, the remaining bones slowly release various nutrients into the environment, which serves as a breeding ground for algae and affects the entire food chain of the river. Animal bones become a source of phosphorus.
Watching antelope migration
Many tourists or adventurers 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, i.e. it is impossible to predict it in advance.
According to local staff, the optimal period for observation is 2 periods:
- December to March;
- from May to November.
After the rains in March, the wet ground is covered with green grass, and then the antelopes begin to move in search of grasslands to the southern plains. In Aprilanimals begin their migration in a westerly direction, which often coincides with a period of prolonged torrential downpours.
Typically, antelopes, zebras and gazelles (about 1.5 million) move in circles around the Serengeti ecosystem. Predators and scavengers follow the animals, providing food for months ahead.
Environmental problems Masai Mara reserves
In recent 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. Human activities also have a negative impact on the ecosystem - the overexploitation of natural resources in the river basin. The drought is due to 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 entire natural environment in general.
The river serves many animals every year, giving them life and water, but it also takes millions of their lives. The mass death of antelopes and zebras during the migration season is a dramatic event and a grandiose performance against the backdrop of wildlife, which can be observed by people who have come to see it firsthand.
