10,000 Wildebeest Drown in Migration "Pileup"

[Sequoia]

In a bizarre mishap that conservationists describe as "heartbreaking," an estimated 10,000 wildebeest have drowned while attempting to cross Kenya's Mara River during an annual migration.

The deaths, which occurred over the course of several days last week, are said to account for about one percent of the total species population.

The drownings created a grotesque wildlife pileup, after part of the migrating herd tried to ford the Mara at "a particularly treacherous crossing point," according to Terilyn Lemaire, a conservation worker with the Mara Conservancy who witnessed the incident. (See a photo gallery of the mass drowning.)

The first animals into the river failed to cross and drowned, while others continued to stampede into the water behind them, Lemaire told National Geographic News by email.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/071001-wildebeest.html

This is sure awful. I've always enjoyed seeing their migration, just flows and flows of wildebeest like our buffalo in bygone days when herds were miles long and would take a whole day to pass you by.

[Coexist]

1. is this the same migration

that prompts the croc feeding frenzy?

That is fascinating to watch, if it is.

[hobbit709]

2. There'll be fat and sassy crocogators tonight

[Thothmes]

6. Not to mention the contented Vultures and Hyenas

[Sequoia]

3. Check this out when you have time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUGP7yac4MA

[Coexist]

5. thanks - that was great.

[malaise]

4. How sad

Lots of floods in Africa this year.

[lonestarnot]

7. wtf.... meals lost wheels.