Security beefed up as tourists flock Mara ahead of big migration

Narok County government has beefed up security as local and international tourists head to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve to witness the annual wildebeest migration.

The County will install satellite security surveillance systems as tourists from around the globe visit Kenya to witness the herd cross the Mara River.

(READ: Tourists fly to the Mara ahead of big migration)

The satellite security surveillance equipment will help arrest poachers.

Narok Governor Samuel Tunai said experts from Israel are working on the system which will be ready at the end of the month before the migration starts in July.

“Apart from the starlight cameras, security personnel will be increased and retrained to combat poaching and other criminal activities in the reserve,’ said Mr Tunai.

For the last two years, the wildebeest migration has been under threat from poachers.

“When the animals come into Kenya there is this big influx of poachers, who take advantage of both wildlife and human congestion in the reserve” said Mara Serengeti eco-system coordinator Nick Ole Murero.

Mr Murero said urgent measures should be put in place to end poaching of wildebeests.

Experts believe that between 40,000 and 100,000 wildebeests are poached every year.

During the migration, poachers set up snares to trap wildebeests, but end up injuring and killing other wildlife including zebras, giraffes, hyenas and elephants.

“The majority of the poachers come from neighbouring Tanzania who sneak over the fenceless border and hunt animals for bush meat,” he added.

Kenya lost 289 elephants to poaching in 2011 and another 384 elephants in 2012 with 47 of them killed in the Maasai Mara last year.