need to add title here

The Great Migration

October 4, 2009 5:00 PM

Scott Pelley visits Kenya, the site of the great wildebeest migration, and looks at the threats to this natural spectacle comprised of over a million animals.

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by BH55 October 11, 2009 10:13 PM EDT
GREAT STORY PLEASE KEEP IT UP ...YOU NEED VOLUNTEER ..AM AVAILIABLE ..
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by BH55 October 11, 2009 10:07 PM EDT
CAN ANYBODY TELL A CITY PERSON ..WHY THOSE ANIMALS MIGRATE ...I MEAN ..I CAN NOT SEEM TO FIND A BIG DIFFERENT IN TEMP. OR FOOD SHORTAGE .OR OR FOR THEM TO GO ALL THOSE DISTANT ?????
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by ongkhop October 9, 2009 8:44 PM EDT
i found this story fascinating but very very sad.
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by MartinSonderby October 8, 2009 12:50 PM EDT
Good News: We have had some rains in the Mara and more further north, so the Mara River has climbed up by near to two feet. The whole of the Mara is still extreamly dry, but not near as dry as other parts of Kenya. Cattle and wildlife are dying on a big scale in Samburu, Amboseli Tsavo areas. We have been told about an El Nino later this month which yet could mean other kinds of problems.
For the mismanagement of natural resources in Kenya (and rest of Africa for that matter) there are springing up lots of small hopes these days. Conservancies are being created mainly by tourist operators, but we cannot save much as there is little goverment support which for a western can seem very strange as the contries especially in Eastern and Southern Africa largely depends on tourism.
Dickson Kaelo from this story on 60 Minutes has assisted operators like me to set up the biggest private conservancy in Kenya. The conservancy, Mara North Conservancy, are protecting 32,000 Ha of prima wilderness. It is very interesting work and the communities are really opening their eyes to new ideas of income and conservation of their land. One can soon go on www.maranorthconservancy.com and read much more.

All the best to you all
Martin S Nielsen
Karen Blixen Camp, Masai Mara
www.karenblixencamp.com
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by dastib October 8, 2009 12:21 AM EDT
Jesus is coming back'' that is what it is all about
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by steenstrup October 7, 2009 10:17 AM EDT
Great video - though since I am sharing this with my kids, I could do without the Viagra ad - maybe you should think about the entire audience when soliciting sponsors!!
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by wetmoose1960 October 6, 2009 1:02 PM EDT
Is there some organization that one can send some money to to help compensate the landowners so that they will leave? The show was great except it didn't offer any way for people to help. Talk about feeling frustrated over the end of everything good left in the world.
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by biologyteacher77 October 6, 2009 9:46 AM EDT
Great footage! But I am a high school science teacher and was hoping to use this footage for our community ecology unit--but I can't use it because of the viagra commercials/interuptions--anyone have any suggestions? This is exactly the engaging footage that would be so vauluable for school use!
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by gfdutton October 6, 2009 8:55 AM EDT
This was an amazing video of the Masai Mara! Since there are only two researchers on the Mara at this time, perhaps it would have been beneficial to get more scientific and technical expertise from these two regarding reasons for the decline in water, and possible solutions for the improvement of the area. This is such a vital area of our world to protect for all people and unique animals. We do not want to lose this natural ecosystem.
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by antonioloret October 5, 2009 2:24 PM EDT
I found this to be very compelling. Please continue to do features like these on our endangered planet.
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by africantravel October 5, 2009 10:57 AM EDT
A few years back - I had written the below poem on the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem migration. I had observed it for many years and want it to share with the 60 minutes viewers. Thank you Scott, for highlighting the Migration experience as well as awareness on the Mau forest. More on the how the ecosystem works is described on our website:

http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/tanzania/safaris/parks/serengetitanzaniasafari.asp

Thank you, Raza Visram
=======================================================================

With the birth of calves in the south, bring to mind no doubt about the future of the migratory scouts.

The wildebeests begin their dispersal to complete a traversal: From Ndutu to Kirawira, from Grumeti to the Mara, from Serena to Seronera.

With Serengeti stakeholders laying their bets and hoping for no debts wishing for the visitors genuinely whisked at, not to become the frequently missed at.

The wildlife continue their journey to cross, hoping for no loss on the swollen rivers. But as nature had predicted just like the addicted, the croc made certain any beast that would dock on the Mara would certainly be cloaked.

This process is not a bad thing for all because Leopards on the acacia, Lions on the kopjes, and Cheetahs on plains would have no play, eventually turning to clay.

This would seem that that beam of conservations efforts would need to deem.

But alas! How certain nature is that the all imperfections in humankind are perfected in nature.

How the beasts come in thousands giving the canine adaptors only time to take some captors.

Further to add and to be so glad, the trampling of the riverbeds brings to surface the sand soaked fish and plant life, letting the storks, fish eagles and other birds partake in nature leniency underscoring nature's commitment to brilliancy.

As years, decades and centuries go by, one thing is sure: the revolution of the evolution of the Serengeti will continue and the Serengeti shall not die."
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by funsunnyday October 5, 2009 3:59 AM EDT
I just returned from safari and was surprised and shocked to learn of the conundrum facing the Masai Mara, the people of the Mau forest, and the Kenyan government. We had commented that the crocodiles would probably starve this year as we saw many Wildebeests cross the Mara River without any problems (no crocodiles in sight)-the water was so shallow. The guides and local people even remarked on the lowest level of the river and the unpredictable and even less rains compared to years past. I was chalking it up to global warming but a possible direct cause just up the river is very disconcerting especially since it concerns Kenyans losing their homes :(. Perhaps a study in comparison to America is appropriate? Will Kenyans inadvertently destroy their natural resources and safari will become a thing of the past? Will east Africa eventually become a desert?
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by allanfisch October 5, 2009 1:34 AM EDT
I was fortunate to see this this past July. Truly, a life changing experience, something that you have to experience in person to fully grasp the scope and power of nature..And it's fragility. Here's hoping...
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by earnmetoo October 5, 2009 12:02 AM EDT
Omg if the rains stop and the river dries up
i guess many will WHAT IS NEW?
just 60 mins doing boring stupid things
Kinda old boring stuff

wow why not just play some led zeplin and drag big salaries till ya die

i am ya age and my is not as boring as yours
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by coonana October 4, 2009 9:41 PM EDT
In my next life I want to come back as Scott Pelley. Can you believe the places this guy gets to go and the people he is able to meet, I said to my wife. Does he have something on the boss? The way I look at it, if I have a choice between the great migration, coal ash and some Madoff starter kit midling swindler, the animals and Africa win. BTW, it is so nice when there is no ditzy story about a fashion designer or some other fluff piece which is so out of place on the one, the only CBS 60 Minutes. Thank you and what's your secret, Scott?
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by October 4, 2009 9:28 PM EDT
Please continue to bring awareness to these issues. Our planet is in peril and the vast majority do not understand the implications of their actions.
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