A new video has sparked outrage after showing tourists blocking the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara in order to take photos.
The incident, which occurred this week, showed visitors disregarding park regulations and causing chaos during one of the most spectacular events in nature.
Shared on Instagram on Tuesday, August 19, by the wildlife group Cheetah Guardians, the video shows an unbecoming scene.
Tourists can be seen getting out of their safari vehicles and gathering on the riverbank, and getting dangerously close to the animals.
In a video obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, people were seen standing less than a meter away from the wildebeests.
Some wildebeests were forced to go back into the crocodile-infested river as the tourists blocked the river banks.
According to the social media post, the person who filmed the video claimed that a park ranger had supervised the entire incident and then demanded $20 (approximately Ksh2,584) in order to allow filming to take place.
"This is the Maasai Mara today: chaos without management, no rules or limits, unethical guides, negligent rangers, and reckless tourists," part of the clip's caption reads.
This incident happened just a month after wildlife guide and photographer Nick Kleer shared images and videos showing dozens of safari vehicles blocking the Mara River. This forced the wildebeests to scatter in a panic.
"These ancient migration routes, shaped by instinct and generations of survival, were blocked by humans who should know better. The herds were forced to scatter. Some ran for cliffs and jumped in panic," he said.
Kleer added, "The rangers who blocked these passages today are meant to be custodians of the wild. In my opinion, they ended up being as bad as poachers."
In a separate statement, the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators condemned the actions as unethical safari practices that threaten the safety of both tourists and wildlife.
Executive Director Elirehema Maturo stressed that such behaviour undermines one of nature's most spectacular events.
