↑ A giraffe passes by a herd of wildebeests in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.
This summer, China's international travel bookings surged by nearly 50% on year-on-year basis, with travel to Africa seeing an especially dramatic year-on-year rise of approximately 103%. Witnessing the great wildlife migration in East Africa has become a major draw for Chinese tourists.
Beginning each July, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals embark on a perilous journey. Driven by the search for water and fresh grass, they move from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park northwards to Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.
These two reserves form the vast Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. From July to September, the dry season in the southern Serengeti pushes the herds towards the greener pastures of the Masai Mara in the north. Crossing the Mara River involves life-and-death river crossings, with threats from lurking crocodiles and the risk of drowning. Even upon reaching the other side, predators like lions and hyenas await the weary animals.
↑ Wildebeests and zebras gather by the Mara River in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, awaiting their crossing.↑ Wildebeests cross the Mara River in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.↑ Wildebeests cross the Mara River in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.↑ A herd of wildebeests cross the Mara River in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.↑ A small group of wildebeests reach the shore after swimming across the Mara River in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.↑ Zebras drinking at the Mara River scatter as a hunting crocodile strikes in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.↑ This photo shows wildebeests in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.↑ A male lion roars beside a freshly killed wildebeest in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.↑ Vultures scramble for food at Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.↑ Wildebeest herds graze and rest in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve after crossing the Mara River.
↑ Pregnant Tibetan antelopes are pictured at sunset in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
While the African migration unfolds, Tibetan antelopes on the remote Changtang of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Hoh Xil of northwest China's Qinghai Province, and the Altun Mountains area of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are concluding their own critical migration for breeding.
Each year between May and July, thousands of pregnant female antelopes instinctively journey hundreds of kilometers across high-altitude grasslands and deserts to reach ancestral calving grounds.
Adapted to harsh conditions with incredibly warm wool, Tibetan antelopes faced near decimation. Poaching for their wool, used to make luxury "shahtoosh" shawls, reduced their population to between 50,000 and 75,000 by 1995.
↑ Tibetan antelopes are on migration in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.↑ Tibetan antelopes are on migration in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.↑ Tibetan antelopes are on migration in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.↑ Tibetan antelopes are on migration in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region↑ Tibetan antelopes are on migration in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.↑ Tibetan antelopes are on migration in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.↑↓ Tibetan antelopes are on migration in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.↑ The Senlong Zangbo River, located in Changtang National Nature Reserve in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, is a vital migration route for Tibetan antelopes. Each July, Tibetan antelope calves and their mothers cross the river and migrate to their habitats. ↑ A stranded Tibetan antelope calf is rescued by a ranger in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
China launched decisive anti-poaching campaigns and established the Changtang, Hoh Xil, and Altun Mountains National Nature Reserves across the antelope habitat. Today, within China's Xizang alone, the population has rebounded impressively to over 300,000. Travelers passing through these reserves might even witness the awe-inspiring sight of antelope herds migrating across the high plains.
↑ Tibetan antelopes are on migration in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.■
Photographers: Jiang Fan, Tenzing Nima Qadhup, Liu Jinhai, Sun Ruibo, Fei Maohua, Dong Jianghui, Meng Chenguang, Zhang Chen, Chen Cheng, Lyu Shuai, Li Yahui, Tian Guangyu
