Part of a herd of some 1.5 million wildebeests crosses the Mara River in
the Maasai Mara Game Reserve during an annual migration in August,
2006. Tanzanians living around the Serengeti Game Reserve allegedly set
the area on fire to block the wildebeest migration. Photo/FILE
By NATION CORRESPONDENT
Posted Sunday, July 22 2012 at 23:30
Posted Sunday, July 22 2012 at 23:30
A diplomatic row is simmering after Tanzanians living
around the Serengeti Game Reserve allegedly set the area on fire to
block the wildebeest migration.
The infernos that have lasted for two weeks have
delayed hundreds of wildebeest from Serengeti plains gathered on the
Mara River ready to cross into Kenya.
Hundred of acres of the reserve in Northern Tanzania along the migratory routes are still on fire and have pushed back wildlife.
The spectacular Mara River wildebeest crossing is
expected to kick off the annual tourism peak season in the Maasai Mara
Game Reserve.
Hold talks
Narok County Council, the custodians of the
reserve, have appealed to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism
to hold talks with respective ministries in Tanzania to solve the
standoff.
The reserve’s chief warden, Mr Michael Ole Koikai,
said tourists who started arriving last week have pitched camp along the
banks of the river to watch the migration which has been delayed by the
fires.
Mr Koikai said the animals attempted to cross twice but could not access the river.
“Many of these tourists are forced to pay more than they had
planned because of this delay, since they don’t want to leave before
experiencing the spectacular 7th wonder of the world,” said Mr Koikai.
Stakeholders, who are already afraid of losing revenue, have joined the call asking the government to intervene.
SOMA MAONI YA WAKENYA KWA WATANZANIA HAPA CHINI
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Arson+halts+wildebeest+migration+/-/1056/1460962/-/pd789c/-/index.html
