Wildlife feared dead in Mara, Serengeti fires

By Kipchumba Kemei

Narok, Kenya: Tens of wildlife are feared dead in fires that have also destroyed hundreds of acres of vegetation in Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Conservationists  said on Thursday that the fires which started a week ago are threatening tourism especially  over the Easter weekend.

They said the fires which started a week ago have killed birds, snakes, old and newly born animals.

They said the fires were alsoa threat to hotels and camp sites and pleaded with the Kenya and Tanzania authorities to work in tandem to put the fires out.

Nick Murero, the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem Coordinator for Lake Victoria Basin claimed the fire was started to stop illegal grazing but got out of hand.

“If there is need to contain illegal grazing and vegetation growth then it should be executed with proper control by the authorities from both countries,” said the official.

He  added that most bird species which tourists view when they visit Mara and Serengeti, had been killed and their nests burnt.

The conservationists observed that the the two ecosystems, which mainly consist of grass and wood land savannah, would take long to regenerate and could affect the spectacular game viewing.

They spoke as fire fighters from the two countries battled to control the fires.