Tourists in Kenya have been criticised for obstructing the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, which forced panicked, frightened wildebeests back into the Mara River in Tanzania
Idiotic tourists have sparked fury after forcing stampeding wildebeests back into crocodile-infested waters.
Holidaymakers in Kenya have been criticised for obstructing the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, which forced panicked, frightened wildebeests back into the Mara River in Tanzania.
The shocking incident, which occurred near Purungat Bridge, went viral after tourists were seen getting out of safari vehicles and blocking the riverbanks, leaving animals unable to pass.
A person who claimed they filmed the wildebeests said it occurred under the supervision of a ranger who demanded £15 from tourists to film the animals. The famous crossing sparked a huge backlash from members of the public and conservationists.
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Nick Kleer, who shared images and videos on Instagram showing dozens of safari vehicles obstructing the Mara River, said: “These ancient migration routes, shaped by instinct and generations of survival, were blocked by humans who should know better. The herds were forced to scatter. Some ran for cliffs and jumped in panic.
“The rangers who blocked these passages today are meant to be custodians of the wild. In my opinion, they ended up being as bad as poachers.”
Kenyan officials have since announced a new series of measures to try to curb the tourists, including mandatory vehicle stays during wildlife viewing and increased ranger presence at migration points.
Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Mianos said: “It is imperative that all stakeholders – government, tour operators and visitors – uphold the highest standards of conduct to protect both wildlife and visitor safety.
“We must act decisively to preserve the Maasai Mara’s integrity, uphold visitor safety and demonstrate Kenya’s unwavering commitment to conservation. Together, we can ensure the Maasai Mara wildebeest migration remains not only one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles but also a symbol of Kenya’s leadership in conservation.”
The location feature in the video is a designated migration crossing in the Masai Mara National Reserve, which is vital to the annual wildebeest journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti into Kenya.
Stephen Minus, chief warden of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, released a statement criticising the tourists’ behaviour.
He said: “As chief warden, I want to make it clear that such behaviour is not condoned within the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The safety of our visitors and the well-being of our wildlife are of utmost priority, and we expect the highest standards of conduct from guides and guests alike.”
The Masai Mara migration attracts thousands of tourists each year, and boosts Kenya’s economy. However, there are fears money is being put ahead of the wildlife’s welfare.
Tourism Regulatory Authority Director-General Nobert Tallam warned tourist guides that it would strip them off their licence if this continued.
He added: “We want to remind all tour guides and operators not to engage in unprofessional conduct such as blocking wild animals. We are going to take strong action, including penalties and licence revocation, against those found culpable.”