When wildebeest go wild! Astonishing images shows herd's battle for survival as thousands of animals cross powerful river
They thrash wildly in the murky currents, horns glistening and legs kicking in a frantic bid to keep their heads above water.
Pictured
locked in a battle with the elements, this herd of wildebeest fights to
cross the raging Kenyan river Mara in search of new lands.
Their
struggle is part of an annual Great Migration, where more than 1million
wildebeest cross the grasslands to find the best grazing.
But
it is a dangerous enterprise - many of the animals pictured were swept
downstream, where they either drowned or became fodder for waiting
crocodiles and vultures.
Australian photographer Karen Lunney, 51, stumbled across the dramatic scene during a guided tour of the area in Kenya.
She
said: 'The sounds of the terror and the thrashing in the water as well
as the overwhelming smell are things I will never forget.'
Frantic: Thousands of wildebeest thrash against the current as they try to reach the opposite bank of Kenya's river Mara
Migration: More than a million wildebeest move en mass across the Serengeti every year
Struggle: Huge numbers of the animals kick hard n an attempt to clear the rough waters
Panic: Fear can be seen in the eyes of the tight-packed animals
Danger: Many of the wildebeest were unable to keep their heads above water, and were swept away
Chaotic: The herd is desperate to ford the river and reach the better grazing on the other side
Mass movement: The wildebeest were pictured moving around the Serengeti, which spans Kenya and Tanzania
No comments:
Post a Comment