To me these animals (specifically the wildebeests) represent both adaptation and resilience and it was an intense experience to be in the middle of this migration. The animals run in single file, until they find an area that they want to stop in and then they gather in huge herds - sometimes they stretch as far as your eye can see. Check it out.
I don't remember all the details that I learned about these animals, so I might get a few numbers wrong, but basically, despite being fairly stupid and seemingly existing in the ecosystem only to feed other animals, they are pretty incredible in some ways. And they have to be in order to be resilient in an environment where many things are out to eat them. For example, they rely on running as their main method of escape from predators. They also have to run long distances in order to chase water and food around the Serengeti during the Great Migration. So unlike other antelope species, the young can't hide for a few days while they get control of their legs. Within 3 - 7 minutes baby wildebeests are standing on their own feet, and within an hour they can run at full speed. That is crazy!!!!
That is just one example of the way that they have adapted to their crazy lifestyle, and as a result they thrive despite many odds, and their population continues. Over the years they have truly adapted to have resilience within that specific ecosystem. If they hadn't, they wouldn't exist.
Perhaps we should learn a thing or two about this concept... we might have to change how we do things in our ecosystem if we want to continue to thrive and survive as a species. How does that saying go? Change, adapt or die... I choose positive change as my number one choice.
Hi Maia,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to film this amazing experience and post it here. It's very powerful to see this ancient line of migration and resilient adaptation, as you say. I encourage you to keep posting!! Laura