Masai Mara facts for kids
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a very special national park in Kenya, East Africa. It was created in 1948 to protect wild animals. Since then, it has grown even larger.
The Masai Mara is a type of park called a game reserve. This means its main goal is to keep the animals safe. It protects the amazing wildlife living on the savannah grasslands. These grasslands are part of the larger Serengeti area. The reserve is named after the Maasi people, who have lived in this region for a very long time. Even though the Masai Mara National Reserve is huge, it is only a small part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem.
The Mara is like the northern part of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. This connection is very important for the animals that move between the two areas.
Contents
What is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is a famous natural event. It involves a huge number of large mammals. Every year, millions of plant-eating animals travel across the land. They are followed by many big cats and other predators.
Animals in the Great Migration
Giant herds of herbivores (plant-eaters) migrate each year. They move to find fresh grass after the rains. Later, they move on to new areas. The animals include zebras, Thomson's gazelles, and wildebeest. You can also see African buffalos, giraffes, and elephants.
Many predators follow these herds. This is because the migrating animals are a big food source. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are always nearby. Vultures and hyaenas also follow the herds. In the rivers, you can find hippos and Nile crocodiles. This amazing journey is known as The Great Migration.
How many animals migrate?
The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events on Earth. Each year, about 1.3 million wildebeest take part. There are also 500,000 Thomson's gazelles and 97,000 Topi. About 18,000 eland and 200,000 zebra join the journey. These plant-eating animals are followed by hungry predators. Lions and hyenas are the most common ones.
Birds of Masai Mara
More than 470 different kinds of birds live in the Masai Mara. Many of these birds travel here from other places. Almost 60 types are raptors, which are birds of prey.
Some of the birds that call this area home are vultures and marabou storks. You can also see secretary birds and hornbills. Crowned cranes, ostriches, and long-crested Eagles live here too. Other birds include African pygmy-falcons and the beautiful lilac-breasted roller. The lilac-breasted roller is even the national bird of Kenya!
Images for kids
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Sunrise over Maasai Mara National Reserve
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A hot air balloon safari
See also
In Spanish: Masái Mara para niños
