The effects of global warming and climate change can be seen all over the world. However, Maasai Mara, one of the greatest national reserves of the world is suffering. Read to know what’s happening in the Kenyan National Reserve.
What’s happening in Maasai Mara?
Maasai Mara, located in Kenya is one of the world’s most important wildlife conservation areas. The region is famous for its populations of Lion, African bush elephants, Cheetah, and African leopards. Additionally, the area is a hotspot for wildebeest migration. However, the change in the climate and reduction in rainfall is making the ground drier. This in turn led to a drastic reduction in the wildebeest population.
In the food web, the herbivore is food for predators like hyenas and lions. Hence, a decrease in their population has a strong effect on the food web and food chain in the area. “They play a very important role in Maasai Mara. If you cut down this main source of food, then basically the predators won’t make it, especially lions and hyenas,” said Sitoti Silantoi. Silantoi is a part of the Mara Predator Conservation Project.
How is it affecting the ecosystem?
The great migration is threatened by climate change. The failure of rains led to the reduction of the lush green pasture. Hence, the uncertainty of food availability is affecting animals. This negatively affects Maasai Mara’s fragile ecosystem. Moreover, the lack of water is a major problem not just for the wildebeest and those dependent on it. But, also for animals since the conditions are no longer optimal. Additionally, animals are wandering, looking for other water sources. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of human-animal conflicts.