Photos: Kenya's famed wildebeest migration continues without foreign tourist crowds

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Photos: Kenya's famed wildebeest migration continues without foreign tourist crowds

East Africa's great wildebeest migration goes on largely unwatched this year

Published: August 12, 2020 07:13 Compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor and with inputs from agencies

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101853Z_1782178162_RC2YAI9I1NRC_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201637131 — Wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus) cross the Mara river during their migration to the greener pastures, between the Maasai Mara game reserve and the open plains of the Serengeti, southwest of Nairobi. One of nature's most spectacular sights, East Africa's great wildebeest migration, went largely unwatched this year as the effects of the pandemic. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101857Z_2107110205_RC2YAI9K12K1_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201646004 — Giraffes are seen among wildebeests as they prepare to cross the Mara river. Normally, the magnificent plains of Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve are crowded with international tourists hoping to see a lion hunt during the annual wildebeest migration - but this year COVID-19 means Kenyans had it all to themselves. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101823Z_2114746825_RC2YAI9RBERL_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201663285 — That's good news for animal watchers but bad for conservationists who rely on the funds to pay for rangers and protection. By June, Kenya had already lost 80 billion Kenyan shillings ($740 million)in tourism revenue, about half of last year's total, due to the coronavirus crisis. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101850Z_552621343_RC2YAI9J2C00_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201655971 — Tour guide Milton Siloma has worked in the world-famous reserve on Kenya's southern border for 30 years and said he's never seen it so quiet. "We are alone," he said. "We are supposed to have thousands and thousands of tourists around watching this phenomenon." Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101848Z_923540276_RC2YAI9D2C7A_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201652408 — Although the absence of tourists makes little difference to the giant herd of wildebeest moving between Kenya and neighboring Tanzania, it's a serious problem for the park, the local government and the surrounding community. Without tourists there is no income from park entry fees, scenic hot air balloon rides - a specialty of the park - and tourist lodges. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101854Z_55027725_RC2YAI91W9OZ_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201640313 — This weekend, thousands of mostly Kenyan visitors travelled to the park to witness the migration. There were few foreigners - Kenya shut down international flights in March and only resumed them on August 1. | Above: Visitors gather to witness the wildebeests crossing the Mara river. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101838Z_2073826184_RC2YAI9U7B1H_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201665203 — "Once I came here, my thought and my view about everything has changed. I am actually embarrassed that I have not come here the 29 years I have been alive," tourist Patience Mumo said. | Above: Zebras drink water as wildebeests prepare to cross the Mara river. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of Kenya_Wildebeest_Migration_11012.jpg-863a8~1-1597201660997 — So far Kenya has just over 26,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 420 deaths. Tourist resorts are required to observe strict social distancing and hygiene measures but have been allowed to reopen. Image Credit: AP

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101851Z_905551168_RC2YAI9RM6IR_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201658204 — "We are trying to revive the sector through the domestic tourism strategy. And that is why we ask Kenyans ... to support tourism," Tourism and Wildlife Minister Najib Balala (above) said. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101852Z_1859883245_RC2YAI9C7332_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201633876 — A vulture arrives to feed on the carcass of wildebeests that died in a stampede as they attempted to cross the Mara river. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101843Z_1556197888_RC2YAI99YO8D_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201670913 — Wildebeests cross the Mara river during their migration to the greener pastures, between the Maasai Mara game reserve and the open plains of the Serengeti, southwest of Nairobi. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101840Z_660010785_RC2YAI9OX779_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201667774 — Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) prepare to cross the Mara river. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101856Z_639076929_RC2YAI9H4BBW_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201643059 — Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101859Z_1400969860_RC2YAI9CJUK5_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201631679 — Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101858Z_115133301_RC2YAI95CQ5M_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201628442 — Image Credit: REUTERS

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Copy of 2020-08-10T101845Z_1385227195_RC2YAI9BSNZB_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-CONSERVATION-1597201649359 — Image Credit: REUTERS

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