A  while ago, i blogged over my favorite place on earth. Masai Mara in Kenya, a wonderful place and home to thousands of wild animals, the big FIVE, on great savannah which extends beyond the borders to Serengeti, in Tanzania. A Spectacular places but

Maasai Mara will not be close spectacular, as it is today, without the Wildebeests. Gnus, wonderful ugly wild animals which completes their chain of life by participating, for most Gnus,  once  in their life time, in a greatest immigration of the wildebeests- THE GREAT TREK,  which happens each time every year, a round trip from Maasai Mara to Serengeti and back.

Like i said, for most Gnus, its a one time endeavor because the route these animals take  is not without danger. Many perishes on the way, falling preys to the most mighty preditors on earth. Lions, the Hyenas. But the greatest number is which ends up being shreded into bits by the only living FOSILS on earth and the largest reptiles living, The GIANT CROCODILES. This happens when the wildebeests cross Mara Rievr. The river bordering Kenya and Tanzania, between the two famous National reserves.

For the lucky ones, after the crosing is done, and they gallop - done it, survived it, then is nothing else left for them other than to rip the hard earned fruits of steady perserverance and ENJOY the juice of fresh shoots brought up by the rainy season. And that's how it has been, every year, for many years i known Maasa Mara and hopfully for more thousands years to come. The reason why this was named one of the seven world wonders. And i hope and wish, with the bottom of my heart, it will stay, for childrens of our childrens....to see it.

Not all good things enjoy their existence without a glitch. And its a pity to see, after all the obstacles the Gnus overcomes to get to their last destination, and after they get there, even after swimming Mara River with its waters timing up to brim with mighty crocodiles, a human being, the wisest of all living things, gets in with snares, bows and arrows, spear and other nasty gadget suitable for killing, ready for

POACHING. And for WHAT...WILD meat. Something which is giving the Rangers in Kenya, a hard time to fight and not because they are anable to  but ,due to the previous political mishappening in Kenya, Tourism dropped to zero. A bummer for most national reserves, which are, for their operational expences, dependent on the funds generated by the park's entry fees. A real set back which these rangers are facing in tackling this poaching problem and are now crying out to the well wishers, people with some extra bucks to spare, to chip in--donate something-- help them help these wonderful wild creatures.  

I have been trying to keep a follow up of what is happening there on the ground, through Joseph Kimunjino, a head Ranger in Maasai Mara and am trying with his email updates, to reach out to my contacts, fellow writers, people in Films, photography etc etc for their support, donation,  anything they can loose, to help these people and am sure it will make a big difference.

• If you want to donate through me, you can use my PAYPAL account exposupply@yahoo.com
• Or donate direct to Mara Triangle at maratriangle.wildlifedirect.org    
  

 Don't forget to mention you are a friend of GREATCHASER..

A personal reason why we have to do all our God given effort to safe places like Mara does not only contain a touristal motive but it also comprises a collection of elements and important factors not only to the local people, but also to us, film writers, film makers , photographers etc.

There are great stories to write about, and many Natural Films are made here and more are being made. One of the Film Production Company which can tell you about it is AEFF - African Environmental Film Foundation

These are people who make a great difference with the films they make, as far as educational and conservational contributions are concerned.

 For a Viewier Glimpse of what these people do contact them at http://africanenvironmentalfilms.squarespace.com