![]() Lake Natron is named for the mineral, natron, that collects there. But more often, much of the lake bed is dried up, covered with a bizarre red crust. At its wettest, it’s 35 miles long - bigger than Lake Tahoe. The most important of these sites is at Lake Natron in Tanzania, where about three-fourths of the entire species gather to mate. Lesser flamingos are colonial breeders, which means they arrive at breeding sites by the tens of thousands to build their nests and raise their young. That’s because the species breeds at only six different wetlands in the world. Adapted to PerilĪlthough lesser flamingos are the most abundant flamingo in the world, with a population in the millions, they’re also one of the most in danger of extinction. Now, researchers are realizing that this effort to save the birds will also provide them with a rare chance to learn more about this near-threatened species’ mysterious behaviors in the wild. And organizations around the world with experience raising flamingos, including many zoos in the U.S., sent resources, supplies and even people - like Grendzinski - to aid in the effort. Ten local conservation groups each agreed to take in hundreds of chicks. Rescue centers took in almost 2,000 chicks. … And we were running - sitting down was not an option.” “ overwhelming - in a good way,” says Grendzinski, who has raised wild birds at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh for 25 years. Scenes like this were common during the flamingo rescue effort that took place earlier this year. And there are so many birds, volunteers have to feed them around the clock in shifts, mixing endless shakes and bringing in a new group of chicks as soon as one is finished. To keep the orphans warm, their rooms are heated to a balmy 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The bird opens its mouth eagerly as her syringe squirts out a kind of warm shrimp milkshake. Teri Grendzinski reaches into a pen and plucks out a fluffy, pale gray chick. Visit the prehistoric human footprints in the mud flats.The incessant “eep, eep, eep” of hundreds of hungry flamingo chicks bounces off the concrete walls of a feeding room at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) wildlife sanctuary in Cape Town, South Africa. You can walk with them from boma to boma and help them milk the cows. There are many authentic Masaai villages in the area to visit. There may be animals right around the camp, but it is still safe to walk around because there are no dangerous animals in this area. Game Driveįull day game drive around the south and west side of Lake Natron. Flamingos breed here August-October, but there are flamingos all year. In the dry season, this may be a half-mile walk. Lake Natron is great for bird watching ! You will walk from your camp or from the road out on the mud flats to the edge of the water. There may be baboons or other wildlife in the gorge. It is an excellent swim in the river and under the waterfalls for a nice cool-down from the hot sun. It is slippery and requires scrambling and walking through the river (sometimes waist deep). You will need non-leather sandals (soda harms leather). This is a 20 minute hike one-way up a river gorge. You would visit Lake Natron either on the way the Serengeti or on the way back. ![]() Lake Natron is a 3+ hour drive from the Lake Manyara area, and 4-5 hours from the northeastern entrance to the Serengeti (Klein’s Gate). ![]() The best months to visit are June-July and December-January. On the drive between Lake Natron and the Serengeti, the vast number of Maasai villages and cattle is amazing. On the drive between Lake Natron and the Arusha/Lake Manyara road, you can see many Maasai villages, termite mounds, gazelle, giraffe, zebra, baboons, bee boxes, and birds such as vultures, ostrich, starlings, Cory Bustards, and kites. Local, fresh springs form surprising oases in this landscape. The lake is extremely high in sodium carbonate, algae, and zooplankton supporting vast numbers of flamingos and other water birds, especially during and after the rainy season. It is also home to the only active volcano in Tanzania: Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God). Lake Natron is the lowest point of the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania (600m / 2000 ft). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |