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Safari lovers who explore the vastness of the majestic national parks often wonder how so much wildlife is protected. The same is the concern of those who visit the Serengeti plains.
Serengeti plains protect wildlife by providing majestic water sources for wildfires, providing an unparalleled grazing opportunity that is the primary reason for animal migration, unique landscapes that animals can harness for their survival and a hunting opportunity for predators that keep their population in balance.
The Serengeti Plain, stretching over 14,750 square kilometers, is a central part of the larger Serengeti ecosystem that spans both Tanzania and Kenya. This globally recognized landscape is renowned for the largest unaltered animal migration in the world. Over six million hooves pound the plains as hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles join wildebeests in a 1,000 km circular journey, all in search of fresh grazing.
Let’s see how does the Serengeti plains support wildlife.
The Great Migration in Serengeti Plains that Protects the Wildlife
The most notable migration in the Serengeti Plains is the Great Migration. Over six million animals, primarily wildebeests, but also zebras and gazelles, partake in this annual 1,000 km round-trip journey. It’s a cyclical trek influenced by the rainfall pattern, as these herbivores are in constant pursuit of fresh grasslands for grazing and reliable water sources.
Migration Path and Timing
The migration usually begins in the southern Serengeti, where the wildebeests calve during the early months of the year. As the dry season approaches, the vast herds start moving west and then north in search of greener pastures. By late July or August, they reach the northern Serengeti and cross the treacherous Mara River into Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserve, only to return to the Serengeti with the onset of the short rains in November.
Significance of Migration
Migration is crucial for the survival of these animals. It allows them to access food and water resources throughout the year, which might not be possible if they stayed in one place. Moreover, the migration helps in nutrient cycling as the herbivores transport and deposit nutrients across the plains. It also aids in shaping the landscape by influencing vegetation patterns.
Predators and the Migration
The migration is not just significant for the migrating herds; it’s a crucial time for their predators as well. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and crocodiles anticipate and strategically utilize this time to hunt, as they are presented with an abundance of prey. This period is often vital for their feeding and reproduction cycles, signifying that migration plays an essential role in balancing the Serengeti’s ecosystem.
Challenges of Migration
Despite being crucial for survival, migration is fraught with danger. Predation, especially during the river crossings, takes a toll on the herds. Additionally, changes to the environment, whether through shifts in rainfall patterns due to climate change or human activities such as fencing and infrastructure development, pose significant threats to this ancient migration route.
The great migration in the Serengeti plains is extremely helpful in supporting the wildlife, be it the predators or the prey who are being migrated.
Food Supply Chain of the Serengeti Plain that Keep the Wildlife Protected
The Serengeti is blanketed with vast grasslands, which serve as a major source of food for herbivorous animals such as zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles. The abundance of herbivores, in turn, provides ample food for predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas, creating a diverse and balanced ecosystem.
The food chain in the Serengeti National Park is a complex and interconnected system that supports a high diversity of species.
See how this food chain protects the wildlife in the Serengeti plains.
Primary Producers (Base of the Food Chain)
The food chain begins with the primary producers, the plants. The Serengeti is known for its grasslands, but there are also areas of woodland and scrubland. These plants use sunlight through photosynthesis to create energy, which is then stored in their tissues.
Primary Consumers (Herbivores)
Primary consumers feed directly on the primary producers. In the Serengeti, this category includes a wide range of herbivorous animals, including:
- Grazers like wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles feed primarily on the grasses.
- Browsers like giraffes feed on leaves, shoots, and twigs, often from trees and shrubs.
Secondary Consumers (Carnivores)
Secondary consumers in the Serengeti are carnivores that prey on the primary consumers. Some examples are:
- Lions, which hunt in prides, bring down large grazers like wildebeests and zebras.
- Leopards and cheetahs, which are solitary hunters, typically target smaller grazers like gazelles.
- Hyenas and wild dogs can both hunt in packs for larger prey and scavenge kills made by other predators.
Scavengers and Decomposers
Scavengers, like vultures, marabou storks, and again, hyenas, play a crucial role in the Serengeti food chain by consuming dead animals, breaking down the animal matter that remains after predators have eaten.
Decomposers, which include insects, bacteria, and fungi, break down both plant and animal material that is dead or decaying. They return nutrients to the soil, supporting plant growth and thus sustaining the food chain.
This whole supply chain is the biggest contributor to protecting the wildlife in the Serengeti plains.
Water Sources of the Serengeti Plains that Protect the Wildlife
The Serengeti is interlaced with rivers and watering holes, providing vital water sources for animals. These water sources are essential for their survival, offering hydration and, for some species, a habitat for survival and reproduction.
Grumeti River
This river is a key water source, especially for migrating wildebeests and zebras during the dry season. It is well known for its population of giant Nile crocodiles that await the migrating herds.
Mara River
The Mara River is a crucial water source in the northern part of the Serengeti. It plays a vital role during the Great Migration as animals must cross this river, presenting one of the most dramatic scenes of the migration due to the swift currents and lurking crocodiles.
Lake Magadi
This is a small salt lake located in the southwest region of the park. It attracts an array of bird life, including flamingos, which are drawn to the lake’s high soda content.
Seronera River Valley
This area in the central Serengeti is filled with rivers and streams that provide reliable water sources year-round. The region is known for its high concentration of wildlife, thanks in part to the availability of water.
Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek
These two alkaline lakes located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which borders the Serengeti National Park, are vital water sources during the calving months of the Great Migration.
Unique Landscape
The Serengeti’s landscape is a breathtaking spectacle of ‘endless plains,’ covering 25,000 km² of treeless expanses, remarkably flat short grasslands sprinkled with rocky outcrops, and full of rivers and woodlands. This varied terrain provides habitats for a multitude of species, each adapted to survive in their unique niches. These majestic landscapes are critically important to maintain wildlife in the Serengeti plains.
Predator-Prey Interactions and Biodiversity
The Serengeti hosts one of the most diverse predator-prey interactions globally, offering an awe-inspiring aesthetic experience. It’s home to many threatened or endangered animal species like the black rhinoceros, elephant, wild dog, and cheetah, contributing to the park’s high biodiversity. Owing to this exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity, the Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa. In fact, the diverse set of interactions between animals helps maintain a fair balance between different types of animals.
Serenegti Plains Are Managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA),which Protects the Wildlife
Management of the Serengeti National Park falls under Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). While established by the government, TANAPA is self-financing, and its income is reinvested into the organization. TANAPA, in partnership with organizations like the Serengeti Conservation Project, ensures the park’s sustainable management and preservation.
TANAPA’s mission is centred around conservation. The organization safeguards Tanzania’s rich natural heritage, providing secure breeding grounds for fauna and flora. It focuses on sustainable tourism, minimizing the environmental impact of human activity, and maintaining the integrity of the Serengeti’s ecosystem. Over 7,000 square kilometres of the Serengeti, nearly half the park’s area, remain untouched with no roads.
TANAPA emphasizes community involvement in the protection of the Serengeti. It employs many locals within the park and encourages community-led cultural tourism projects. In addition, TANAPA aids in teaching sustainable environmental management and contributes to community development initiatives. This blend of conservation and community involvement makes for a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. These conservation efforts protect the wildlife in the Serengeti National Park.
Final Words
There are natural phenomena in place that keep the wildlife protected in the Serengeti. The park is so monumental that safari lovers even do overnight camping there. But before you do your next serengeti travel, it’s important to know what you should wear so that your trip is worth it.
Bariki was born and raised in Tanzania, the land of the magnificent Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Manyara wildlife parks. He grew up surrounded by Africa’s natural beauty. Visiting his grandpa in Moshi Kilimanjaro, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, provided him with early exposure to wildlife and the natural world.
As a technology and human rights blogger, he has always been passionate about writing. With many relatives working in the tourism industry, he has stayed abreast of the industry’s successes and challenges, which led him to write about African safaris.
Now residing in the USA, Bariki is using his firsthand knowledge to help foreigners plan their dream safari in Africa. At Posire, he shares his expertise on everything you need to know about planning a safari, from choosing the right destination to the best time to go and what to expect during your adventure.
