Migration news: Wildebeest foaling

The herds are spread from the western Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the south eastern Serengeti, around the short grass plains of Ndutu. There has been sufficient rain and heat to keep the plains green, but 2009 has started out drier than normal. There are a lot of wildebeest foal in the area with more to come. This is supplying the predators with abundant easy prey. Game viewing has been good, Ther are huge herds of wildebeest and zebra congregated on the plains and predators picking off the weak and vulnerable.

Migration news: Wildebeest start foaling

The first foals of the 2009 migration are being born on the Ndutu plains of the southern Serengeti. This is where the wildebeest always foal during the annual migration. It is here that the grass is the most nutritious throughout the entire Serengeti eco-system and where the young foals have the most chance of surviving. The wildebeest and zebra will remain in this area for another couple of months, giving the foals sufficient time to gain some strength before the long trek north to the Masai Mara. The predators are having a easy time picking off the young wildebeest from the herds.

There have been heavy rains and the area is muddy and wet. A number of roads have been closed. A safari at this time is rewarding, but challenging.