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81-709: Maasai Mara , also sometimes spelt Masai Mara and locally known simply as The Mara , is a large national game reserve in Narok , Kenya , contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania . It is named in honour of the Maasai people , the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who migrated to the area from the Nile Basin. Their description of the area when looked at from afar: "Mara" means "spotted" in

162-403: A deep slate or bluish-gray to light gray or even grayish-brown. The back and flanks are slightly lighter than the ventral surface and underparts. Dark brown, vertical stripes mark the area between the neck and the back of the ribcage, thus giving it the name "brindled gnu". The manes of both sexes appear long, stiff, thick, and jet black, the same colour as the tail and face. While the manes of

243-458: A demand for land and resources leading to unplanned infrastructure growth. The weak cash economy creates a need to further subdivide the outlying ranch areas. These new owners have converted some land away from traditional grazing fields, negatively affecting wildlife migration. A rise in fencing exacerbates the restriction in free movement for migration, and grazing opportunities are diminished. The Mara Conservancy encourages conservation efforts in

324-512: A free ranging animal in Zimbabwe (Cawston Block) showed this gland contains cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, phenol, 2-phenolethanol, and six short-chain carboxylic acids. The blue wildebeest is mostly active during the morning and the late afternoon, with the hottest hours of the day being spent in rest. These extremely agile and wary animals can run at speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph), waving their tails and tossing their heads. An analysis of

405-421: A natural rate can occur. Some game reserves contain several ecosystems, ranging from valley bushveld , savannah grassland and fynbos to riverine forest and acacia woodland ; this provides a dramatic improvement on the types of wildlife that are present and the numerous species of birds that thrive in these environments . Wildlife conservation is a costly endeavor for most African countries. One of

486-803: A number of private game farms, reserves, and conservancy areas. For these reasons, the International Union for Conservation of Nature rates the blue wildebeest as being of least concern . However, the numbers of the eastern white-bearded wildebeest ( C. t. albojubatus ) have seen a steep decline to a current level of probably 6,000 to 8,000 animals, and this is causing some concern. The population of other subspecies are including; 150,000 in common wildebeest ( C. t. taurinus ), 5,000~75,000 in Nyassaland wildebeest ( C. t. johnstoni ), 5,000~10,000 in Cookson's wildebeest ( C. t. cooksoni ). As one of

567-466: A potable water supply is available, normally within about 15–25 km (9.3–15.5 mi) distance. The southern limit of the blue wildebeest stops at the Orange River , while the western limit is bounded by Lake Victoria and Mount Kenya . The range does not include montane or temperate grasslands. These wildebeest are rarely found at altitudes over 1,800–2,100 m (5,900–6,900 ft). With

648-450: A single calf is usually born after a gestational period of about 8.5 months. The calf remains with its mother for 8 months, after which it joins a juvenile herd. Blue wildebeest are found in short-grass plains bordering bush-covered acacia savannas in southern and eastern Africa, thriving in areas that are neither too wet nor too arid. Three African populations of blue wildebeest take part in a long-distance migration , timed to coincide with

729-481: A temporary nature and fewer than half of the male population hold permanent territories. In general, blue wildebeest rest in groups of a few to thousands at night, with a minimum distance of 1–2 m (3–7 ft) between individuals (though mothers and calves may remain in contact). They are a major prey item for lions , cheetahs , leopards , African wild dogs , hyenas , and Nile crocodiles . Female calves will stay with their mothers and other related females of

810-538: A territorial male includes standing with an erect posture, profuse ground pawing, and horning, frequent defecation, rolling and bellowing, and the sound "ga-noo" being produced. When competing over territory, males grunt loudly, paw the ground, make thrusting motion with their horns, and perform other displays of aggression. The blue wildebeest is a herbivore , feeding primarily on the short grasses which commonly grow on light, and alkaline soils that are found in savanna grasslands and on plains. The animal's broad mouth

891-472: A western form, ranging from the Kalahari to central Zambia, suggests that subspecies mattosi (Blaine, 1825) may also prove distinct from subspecies taurinus . The blue wildebeest is known to hybridise with the black wildebeest. The differences in social behaviour and habitats have historically prevented interspecific hybridisation, but it may occur when both species are confined within the same area, and

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972-527: Is 224 km (139 mi) from Nairobi , and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited by tourists. It has a semi-arid climate with biannual rains and two distinct rainy seasons. The 'long rains' last around six to eight weeks in April and May and the 'short rains', in November and December, last around four weeks. There is a significant rainfall gradient: around 800 mm (31 in)/year in

1053-527: Is Zambia. The Zambian government established a wildlife conservation fund to act as the responsible player for redistributing funds from the hunting industry into wildlife conservation and community development. Using game hunting as a conservation tool has negative perceptions that impose harsh restrictions across several countries in Africa. Activities that induce hunting bans include canned hunting , shooting young or uncommon animals, shooting from vehicles, and

1134-457: Is a large antelope and one of the two species of wildebeest . It is placed in the genus Connochaetes and family Bovidae , and has a close taxonomic relationship with the black wildebeest . The blue wildebeest is known to have five subspecies . This broad-shouldered antelope has a muscular, front-heavy appearance, with a distinctive, robust muzzle . Young blue wildebeest are born tawny brown, and begin to take on their adult coloration at

1215-646: Is adapted for eating large quantities of short grass and it feeds both during the day and night. When grass is scarce, it will also eat the foliage of shrubs and trees. Wildebeest commonly associate with plains zebras as the latter eat the upper, less nutritious grass canopy, exposing the lower, greener material which the wildebeest prefer. Whenever possible, the wildebeest likes to drink twice daily and due to its regular requirement for water, it usually inhabits moist grasslands and areas with available water sources. The blue wildebeest drinks 9 to 12 litres of water every one to two days. Despite this, it can also survive in

1296-695: Is native to Kenya , Tanzania , Botswana , Zambia , Zimbabwe , Mozambique , South Africa , Eswatini , and Angola . Today, it is extinct in Malawi , but has been successfully reintroduced into Namibia . Blue wildebeest are mainly found in short-grass plains bordering bush-covered acacia savannas in southern and eastern Africa, thriving in areas that are neither too wet nor too arid. They can be found in habitats that vary from overgrazed areas with dense bush to open woodland floodplains. Trees such as Brachystegia and Combretum spp. are common in these areas. Blue wildebeest can tolerate arid regions as long as

1377-432: Is the lightest race. Both subspecies possess a creamy white beard, whereas the beard is black in both the Nyassaland wildebeest and the common wildebeest. The longest muzzles are found in the Nyassaland wildebeest, and the shortest in female western white-bearded wildebeest. Both sexes possess a pair of large horns , which are shaped like parentheses . These extend outward to the side, and then curve upward and inward. In

1458-529: Is the long, black tail, which is around 60–100 cm (24–39 in) in length. All features and markings of this species are bilaterally symmetrical for both sexes. The average life span is 20 years in captivity. The oldest known captive individual lived for 24.3 years. The age that blue wildebeest live to in the wild is debatable. Blue wildebeest have one of the most efficient locomotor muscles in terms of energy used for mechanical work and wasted as heat, with 62.6% of energy being converted into movement and

1539-439: Is the management of the land being used for hunting. Naturally, wildlife decreases with the increase of human presence which puts a strain on the quality of hunting. Generally, leases for hunting concessions are set up to last for multiple years all at once to encourage hunting operators to continue to manage the land for hunting; however, as the quality of hunting decreases, leases are shortened, causing an overall negative impact on

1620-529: The " Big Five " – lions , African leopards , African bush elephants , African buffaloes , black and white rhinos – are found all year round. The Maasai Mara is the only protected area in Kenya with an indigenous black rhino population unaffected by translocations. Due to its size, the Mara can support one of the largest populations in Africa. The population of black rhinos was fairly numerous until 1960, but it

1701-665: The Cradle of Humankind in the past. Apart from eastern Africa, fossils are commonly found in Elandsfontein , Cornelia , and Florisbad . The blue wildebeest exhibits sexual dimorphism , with males being larger and darker than females. The blue wildebeest is typically 170–250 cm (67–98 in) in head-and-body length. The average height of the species is 115–151 cm (45–59 in). Males typically weigh 170 to 410 kg (370 to 900 lb) and females weigh 140 to 260 kg (310 to 570 lb). A characteristic feature

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1782-649: The Maa language . This number includes not only the Maasai but also Samburu and Ilchamus people in Kenya. The total area under conservation in the Greater Maasai Mara ecosystem amounts to almost 1,510 km (580 sq mi). It is the northernmost section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem , which covers around 25,000 ha (62,000 acres) in Tanzania and Kenya. Maasai pastoral ranches are to

1863-646: The Tarangire wildebeest migration. The total number of blue wildebeest is estimated to be around 100,000. The population trend overall is unstable and the numbers in the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) have increased to about 1,300,000. The population density ranges from 0.15/km in Hwange and Etosha National Parks to 35/km in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, where they are most plentiful. Blue wildebeest have also been introduced into

1944-407: The larvae of a tongue worm . Of these, most were more prevalent at some times of the year than others. Generally, the larvae of Gedoelstica and Oestrus occur in the nasal passages and respiratory cavities of the blue wildebeest, and sometimes migrate to the brain. Compared to some other bovids, blue wildebeest are resistant to infestations by several species of ticks. The blue wildebeest

2025-415: The radius and ulna are fused. The diploid number of chromosomes in the blue wildebeest is 58. Chromosomes were studied in a male and a female wildebeest. In the female, all except a pair of very large submetacentric chromosomes were found to be acrocentric . Metaphases were studied in the male's chromosomes, and very large submetacentric chromosomes were found there as well, similar to those in

2106-647: The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year competition, showcasing the Mara as a year-round destination and raise funds for conservation initiatives active in the Mara. The competition ran for six years, ending in 2023. The inaugural winner was British photographer Anup Shah. The 2019 winner was Lee-Anne Robertson from South Africa. Paolo Torchio won in 2020, Harry Collins in 2021, Preeti and Prashant Chacko in 2022, and Shravan Rao in 2023. Between 1989 and 2003, ungulates were monitored in

2187-511: The Greek word tauros , which means a bull or bullock. The common name "blue wildebeest" refers to the conspicuous, silvery-blue sheen of the coat, while the alternative name "gnu" originates from the name for these animals used by the Khoikhoi people , a native pastoralist people of southwestern Africa. Though the blue and black wildebeest are currently classified in the same genus, the former

2268-626: The Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Mara Triangle , several Maasai group ranches, and Maasai Mara conservancies . When Maasai Mara was originally established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary, it covered only 520 km² of the current area, including the Mara Triangle. The area was extended to the east in 1961 to cover 1821 km² and converted to a Game Reserve. The Narok County Council took over management of

2349-577: The Maasai Mara on a monthly basis; the survey revealed a decline of giraffes by 75%, of common warthogs by 80%, of hartebeest by 76%, and of impala by 67%, attributed to the increased number of livestock grazing in the park and an increase in poaching. The rise of local populations in areas neighbouring the reserve has led to the formation of conservation organisations such as the Mara Elephant Project. The project aims to ensure

2430-546: The Mara and Talek rivers. The plains between the Mara River and the Esoit Siria Escarpment are probably the best area for game viewing, in particular regarding lion and cheetah. Large carnivores are found in the reserve. Lions are the most dominant and are found here in large numbers. Spotted hyenas are another abundant carnivore, and will often compete with lions for food. Leopards are found anywhere in

2511-536: The Project, Elena Chelysheva, was working in 2001–2002 as Assistant Researcher at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Maasai-Mara Cheetah Conservation Project. At that time, she developed original method of cheetah identification based on visual analysis of the unique spot patterns on front limbs (from toes to shoulder) and hind limbs (from toes to the hip), and spots and rings on the tail. Collected over

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2592-578: The Reserve and has accomplished several of their goals since taking stewardship. According to their website, as of 2022 they have arrested 4,500 poachers, vaccinated 100,000 dogs against rabies and distemper, improved access roads, and provided security for the local community and tourist facilities. Game reserve Many game reserves are located in Africa . Most are open to the public, and tourists commonly take sightseeing safaris . Historically, among

2673-471: The activity of blue wildebeest at the Serengeti National Park showed that the animals devoted over half of their total time to rest, 33% to grazing, 12% to moving about (mostly walking), and a little to social interactions. However, variations existed among different age and sex groups. The wildebeest usually rest close to others of their kind and move about in loose aggregations. Males form bachelor herds, and these can be distinguished from juvenile groups by

2754-407: The age of 2 months. The adults' hues range from a deep slate or bluish-gray to light gray or even grayish-brown. Both sexes possess a pair of large curved horns . The blue wildebeest is an herbivore , feeding primarily on short grasses. It forms herds which move about in loose aggregations, the animals being fast runners and extremely wary. The mating season begins at the end of the rainy season and

2835-470: The annual pattern of rainfall and grass growth on the short-grass plains where they can find the nutrient-rich forage necessary for lactation and calf growth. The blue wildebeest is native to Angola , Botswana , Eswatini , Kenya , Mozambique , South Africa , Tanzania , Zambia , and Zimbabwe . Today, it is extinct in Malawi , but has been successfully reintroduced in Namibia . The southern limit of

2916-416: The arid Kalahari Desert , where it obtains sufficient water from melons and water-storing roots and tubers. In a study of the dietary habits of the wildebeest, the animals were found to be feeding on the three dominant kinds of grass of the area, namely: Themeda triandra , Digitaria macroblephara , and Pennisetum mezianum . The time spent grazing increased by about 100% during the dry season. Though

2997-493: The best-known hunting targets were the so-called Big Five game in Africa: rhinoceros ( white rhinoceros as well as black rhinoceros ), elephant , Cape buffalo , leopard , and lion , named so because of the difficulty and danger in hunting them. In a game reserve, ecosystems are protected and conservation is usually key. Indigenous wildlife in its natural habitat help in providing an environment where growth in numbers at

3078-428: The blue wildebeest range is the Orange River , while the western limit is bounded by Lake Victoria and Mount Kenya . The blue wildebeest is widespread and is being introduced into private game farms, reserves, and conservancies. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources rates the blue wildebeest as being of least concern . The population has been estimated to be around 1.5 million, and

3159-402: The choice of the diet remained the same in both the dry and the wet season, the animals were more selective during the latter. Male blue wildebeest become sexually mature at about 2 years of age, while females can conceive at 16 months if adequately nourished. Nevertheless, most females do not start to breed until a year later. The mating season , which lasts for about 3 weeks, coincides with

3240-669: The county, while the County Government of Narok manages the Narok Sector. The more visited eastern part of the park, known as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, is managed by the Narok County Council. The Mara Triangle in the western part is managed Mara Conservancy, on behalf of the county, since the early 2000s. The outer areas were administered by ranches of the Maasai community. The land was then subdivided, though some members received greater benefits than

3321-407: The distinctive Masai giraffe . The large roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox , rarely present elsewhere in Kenya, can be seen within the reserve borders. The area has been named an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. More than 500 species of birds have been identified in the park, many of which are migrants, with almost 60 species being raptors . It is an important area for

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3402-529: The distinctive acacia tree. The western border is the Esoit (Siria) Escarpment of the East African Rift , which is a system of rifts some 5600 km long, from Ethiopia 's Red Sea through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and into Mozambique . Wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good, while tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border

3483-451: The drying up of water sources, the expansion of settlements and poaching. Diseases of domestic cattle such as sleeping sickness can be transmitted to the animals and take their toll. The erection of fences that interrupt traditional migratory routes between wet and dry-season ranges have resulted in mass death events when the animals become cut off from water sources and the areas of better grazing they are seeking during droughts. A study of

3564-671: The east to 1200 mm /year in the west. Elevation: 1500 - 2180 m ; Rainfall: 83 mm /month; Temperature range: 12–30 °C (54–86 °F) Blue wildebeest are the dominant inhabitants of the Maasai Mara. Around July of each year, these animals migrate north from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh pasture, and return to the south around October. The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide. It involves some 1,300,000 blue wildebeest, 500 000 Thomson's gazelles , 97 000 topi , 18 000 common elands , and 200 000 Grant's zebras . All members of

3645-405: The eastern part of the Mara. A flow assessment and trans-boundary river basin management plan between Kenya and Tanzania was completed for the river to sustain the ecosystem and the basic needs of 1 million people who depend on its water. The Mara Predator Conservation Programme also operates in the Maasai Mara, cataloging and monitoring lion populations throughout the region. Concentrating on

3726-491: The economy. Many African countries benefit from community-based conservation. This concept explores the relationship between wildlife and people and the notion that conserving every animal is also not sustainable because certain animals threaten human lives and crops. One of the biggest arguments in support of community-based conservation is that allowing people to gain economic benefits from wildlife incentivizes conservation. One country that benefits from adopting this strategy

3807-492: The end of the rainy season. This means that the animals are in good condition, having been feeding on highly nutritious new grass growth, and the conception rate is often as high as 95%. The mating season, or rut, typically begins on the night of a full moon, suggesting that the lunar cycle influences breeding. At this time, testosterone production peaks in males, resulting in increased calling and territorial behavior. The activities of these sexually excited males may also stimulate

3888-464: The exception of a small population of Cookson's wildebeest that occurs in the Luangwa Valley (Zambia), the wildebeest is absent in the wetter parts of the southern savanna country, and particularly is not present in miombo woodlands . Three African populations of blue wildebeest take part in long-distance migrations , timed to coincide with the annual pattern of rainfall and grass growth on

3969-508: The factors influencing wildebeest populations in the Maasai Mara ecosystem revealed that the populations had undergone a drastic decline of around 80% from about 119,000 individuals in 1977 to around 22,000 twenty years later. The major cause of this was thought to be the expansion of agriculture, which led to the loss of wet-season grazing and the traditional calving and breeding ranges. Similarly, drastic declines have recently occurred in

4050-525: The female both in size and morphology. The rest were acrocentric. The X chromosome is a large acrocentric, while the Y chromosome is a minute one. This species of wildebeest seems to have evolved around 2.5 million years ago. The black wildebeest is believed to have diverged from the blue wildebeest to become a distinct species around 1 million years ago, in the Middle to Late Pleistocene . Fossil evidence suggests that blue wildebeest were quite common in

4131-429: The female into his domain. During courtship , urination and low-stretch are common activities, and the male soon attempts to mount the female. A receptive female holds her tail to one side and stands still while copulation takes place. Matings may be repeated several times and may take place twice or more times within a minute. The male neither eats nor rests when a female is present in his territory, and during this time,

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4212-399: The female keeps close to the male, often rubbing her head on his torso and sniffing his penis. While in season, a female may visit several territories and mate with several different males. The gestation period is about 8.5 months, and between 80 and 90% of the calves are born within a 3-week time period. Female wildebeest give birth in the middle of a herd rather than alone, and typically in

4293-399: The female to come into estrus . As they stake out their territories and compete for females, males exhibit rivalry. When they clash, they face up to each other with bent knees and exchange horn thrusts. Elaborate individual displays are made during their rivalry, and they may bellow, snort, and dig their horns into the ground. Once dominance has been established, each male attempts to lure

4374-534: The herd throughout their lives. Female individuals in a herd are from a wide range of ages, from yearlings to the oldest cow. During the wet season, the females generally lead the herd towards nutritious areas of grasses and areas where predators can be avoided. This is to ensure that newborn calves have the highest chance of survival as well as gaining the most nutritious milk. Bulls mark the boundaries of their territories with heaps of dung, secretions from their scent glands, and certain behaviors. Body language used by

4455-647: The local Maasai language , because of the short bushy trees which dot the landscape. Maasai Mara is one of the wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa, with its populations of lions , leopards , cheetahs and African bush elephants . It also hosts the Great Migration , which secured it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa , and as one of the ten Wonders of the World . The Greater Mara ecosystem encompasses areas known as

4536-451: The lower amount of activity and the spacing between the animals. Around 90% of the male calves join the bachelor herds before the next mating season. Bulls become territorial at the age of four or five years, and become very noisy (most notably in the western white-bearded wildebeest) and active. The bulls tolerate being close to each other and one square kilometre (0.39 sq mi) of plain can accommodate 270 bulls. Most territories are of

4617-762: The major herbivores of southern and eastern Africa, the blue wildebeest is one of the animals that draw tourists to the area to observe big game, and as such, it is of major economic importance to the region. Traditionally, blue wildebeest have been hunted for their hides and meat, the skin making good-quality leather, though the flesh is coarse, dry, and rather tough. However, blue wildebeest can also affect human beings negatively. They can compete with domestic livestock for grazing and water and can transmit fatal diseases like rinderpest to cattle and cause epidemics among animals. They can also spread ticks , lungworms , tapeworms , flies, and paramphistome flukes . An ancient carved slab of slate depicting an animal very similar to

4698-507: The majority of landowners. This weakened regulatory system threatens sustainable management of the Mara. The Maasai Mara is a major research centre for the spotted hyena. With two field offices in the Mara, the Michigan State University based Kay E. Holekamp Lab studies the behaviour and physiology of this predator, as well as doing comparison studies between large predators in the Mara Triangle and their counterparts in

4779-511: The males, the horns can be 83 cm (33 in) long, while the horns of the females are 30–40 cm (12–16 in) long. Despite being an antelope, the blue wildebeest possesses various bovine characteristics. For instance, the horns resemble those of the female African buffalo . Furthermore, the heavy build and disproportionately large forequarters give it a bovine appearance. The blue wildebeest only has interdigital (hoof) glands in its fore legs. Analysis of chemical constituents from

4860-531: The middle of the day. This allows time for the newborn to become steady on its feet before night falls and the predators become more active. Calves weigh about 19 kg (42 lb) at birth, and can usually stand on their own within a few minutes of birth. To escape predation, calves remain close to their mothers for a significant time, and may continue suckling until the next year's calf is nearly due. Male calves leave their mother at about 8 months and form herds with other male juveniles. In large female herds, 80% of

4941-430: The more common forms of generating income to establish a sustainable economy to provide for wildlife conservation is known as wildlife viewing tourism. However, this attraction still does not generate enough to establish wildlife conservation. For regions that suffer political and economic instability, sustainable trophy hunting may be the only feasible source of sufficient income. Once established, another aspect to consider

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5022-436: The most likely to die. On another occasion, an estimated 47% of deaths were caused by disease, 37% were due to predation, and the remainder were the result of accidents. The animal can be host to a number of different parasites. In one study, blue wildebeest were found to be hosts to 13 species of nematodes , one trematode , larvae of five oestrid flies , three species of lice , seven ixodid tick species, one mite , and

5103-592: The north, east and west. To the south is the Serengeti Park, the Siria/Oloololo escarpment is to the west. The Mara River , along with its tributaries the Sand and Talek rivers, are the major rivers draining the reserve. Shrubs and trees run along most drainage lines and cover the hills. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland with seasonal riverlets. In the south-east region are clumps of

5184-539: The northern conservancies where communities coexist with wildlife, the project aims to identify population trends and responses to changes in land management, human settlements, livestock movements and tourism. Since October 2012, the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project has worked in the Mara monitoring cheetah population, estimating population status and dynamics, and evaluating the predator impact and human activity on cheetah behavior and survival. The head of

5265-533: The offspring are usually fertile. A study of these hybrid animals at Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve in South Africa revealed that many had congenital abnormalities relating to their teeth, horns, and the Wormian bones of the skull. Another study reported an increase in the size of the hybrid as compared to either of its parents. In some hybrid animals, the auditory bullae are highly deformed, and in others,

5346-418: The peaceful and prosperous co-existence of humans alongside wildlife. According to the project, human wildlife conflict is seen as a leading threat to the reserve as the population continues to grow. Tourism has increased exponentially. Less than 10 lodges were in the area in the late 1970s. The end of the moratorium saw facilities increase to 140 in 2008, and nearly 200 in 2016. The growth in population creates

5427-539: The plains, making it hard to track them. Smaller carnivores that don't directly compete with the latter include African wolves , black-backed jackals , African striped weasels , caracals , servals , honey badgers , aardwolves , African wildcats , side-striped jackals , bat-eared foxes , Striped polecats , African civets , genets , several mongoose species, and African clawless otters . Antelopes can be found, including Grant's gazelles , impalas , duikers and Coke's hartebeests . The plains are also home to

5508-521: The population trend is stable. The blue wildebeest was first described in 1823 by English naturalist William John Burchell , who gave it the scientific name Connochaetes taurinus . It shares the genus Connochaetes with the black wildebeest ( C. gnou ), and is placed in the family Bovidae , ruminant animals with cloven hooves. The generic name Connochaetes derives from the Greek words κόννος, kónnos, "beard", and χαίτη, khaítē, "flowing hair", "mane". The specific name taurinus originates from

5589-415: The remainder in heat. They can travel up to 80 km (50 mi) in 5 days without drinking water, with average temperatures of 38 °C (100 °F) in peak times of the day. This broad-shouldered antelope has a muscular, front-heavy appearance, with a distinctive robust muzzle. Young are born tawny brown, and begin to take on their adult coloration at the age of 2 months. The adults' hues range from

5670-498: The reserve at this time. Part of the reserve was given National Reserve status in 1974, and the remaining area of 159 km² was returned to local communities. An additional 162 km² were removed from the reserve in 1976, and the park was reduced to 1510 km² in 1984. The Maasai people make up a community that spans northern, central and southern Kenya and northern parts of Tanzania. The Maasai rely on their lands to sustain their cattle, as well as themselves and their families. Before

5751-419: The reserve where there are trees for them to escape to. East African cheetahs are also found in high numbers on the open savanna, hunting gazelle and wildebeest. African wild dogs are quite rare here due to the widespread transmission of diseases like canine distemper and the heavy competition they face with lions, who can often ravage their populations. Their packs also roam and travel far distances throughout

5832-411: The reserve's establishment, the Maasai were forced to move out of their native lands. Some of this was due to smallpox outbreaks among the people as well as rinderpest outbreaks among the cattle . Tradition continues to play a major role in the lives of modern-day Maasai people, who are known for their tall stature, patterned shukas and beadwork. In 2008, an estimated half a million individuals spoke

5913-862: The short-grass plains, where they can find the nutrient-rich forage necessary for lactation and calf growth. The timing of the migration in both directions can vary considerably from year to year. At the end of the rainy season, they migrate to dry-season areas in response to a lack of drinking water. When the rainy season begins again a few months later, the animals trek back to their wet-season range. These movements and access to nutrient-rich forage for reproduction allow migratory wildebeest populations to grow to much larger numbers than resident populations. Many long-distance migratory populations of wildebeest existed 100 years ago, but currently, all but three migrations ( Serengeti , Tarangire , and Kafue ) have been disrupted, cut off, and lost. Major human-related factors affecting populations include large-scale deforestation,

5994-415: The threatened birds that call this area home for at least part of the year. These include: vultures , marabou storks , secretary birds , hornbills , crowned cranes , ostriches , long-crested eagles , African pygmy-falcons and the lilac-breasted roller , which is the national bird of Kenya. The resident Martial eagle is endangered. As of 2023, Mara Conservancy manages the Mara Triangle on behalf of

6075-452: The use of bait, spotlights and hounds, all hunting practices that raise ethical problems. Blue wildebeest C. t. albojubatus (Thomas, 1912) C. t. cooksoni (Blaine, 1914) C. t. johnstoni ( Sclater , 1896) C. t. mearnsi ( Heller , 1913) C. t. taurinus (Burchell, 1823) The blue wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus ), also called the common wildebeest , white-bearded gnu or brindled gnu ,

6156-424: The western and eastern white-bearded wildebeest are lank, those of the Nyassaland wildebeest and common wildebeest stick up. Scent glands , which secrete a clear oil, are present in the forefeet and are larger in males than females. In terms of skull length, the smallest subspecies of the blue wildebeest is the western white-bearded wildebeest. It is also the darkest subspecies; the eastern white-bearded wildebeest

6237-507: The wildebeest offspring survive the first month, compared to a 50% survival rate in smaller herds. The blue wildebeest is susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease , anthrax , sarcoptic mange , and hoof gangrene . The herpesvirus was first isolated from the blue wildebeest in 1960 by veterinary scientist Walter Plowright . Although the causes of death vary from year to year, in one drought in Botswana, young calves and aged females were

6318-505: The years, photographic data allows the project team to trace kinship between generations and build Mara cheetah pedigree. The data collected helps to reveal parental relationship between individuals, survival rate of cubs, cheetah lifespan and personal reproductive history. The resilience of the game park model and the impact of the covid pandemic have also been evaluated so as to include consideration of issues of equality, and environmentalism. The BBC Television show titled "Big Cat Diary"

6399-596: Was filmed in the Maasai Mara. The show followed the lives of the big cats living in the reserve. The show highlighted scenes from the Reserve's Musiara marsh area and the Leopard Gorge, the Fig Tree Ridge areas and the Mara River, separating the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. In 2018, the Angama Foundation, a non-profit affiliated with Angama Mara, one of the Mara's luxury safari camps, launched

6480-399: Was previously placed in a separate genus, Gorgon . In a study of the mitotic chromosomes and mtDNA , which was undertaken to understand more of the evolutionary relationships between the two species, the two were found to have a close phylogenetic relationship and had diverged about a million years ago. C. taurinus has five subspecies: In addition, the distinctive appearance of

6561-479: Was severely depleted by poaching in the 1970s and early 1980s, dropping to a low of 15 individuals. Numbers have been slowly increasing, but the population was still only up to an estimated 23 in 1999. The Mara Conservancy, one of the managing bodies of the reserve, reported 120 black rhinos in 1971 and 18 in 1984. They claimed one black rhino in 2001 when they began management and a stable 25-30 in 2023. Hippopotamuses and Nile crocodiles are found in large groups in

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