Public Forum > What will happen if mara dries up
Hello Santhosh
I have no idea where the 400 - 500 hippos dead statistic comes from, and we think that maybe Mr Omondi has confused the Mara River with another river in Kenya as we have not seen those numbers dead, in fact we haven't even seen more than 10 hippos dead in the last couple of months.
The problem with regards to the Mara River is the need to protect it's water catchment area - the Mau Forest. This is a politically charged issue here in Kenya and it will need our politicians to make mature decisions.
William
Good to know.Yes i saw in the Documentary people have settled in Mau catchment area and kenyan government years ago has given them full privilege of land.they have cut down trees ,fields have come up where trees would have been there.Its hard, they have to make a living too.We cant throw people out of their homes.Puts us in real delicate situation.Documentary also i think OVEREMPHASIZED it a bit.Are the water levels in mara historically at the lowest level?
Santhosh
There is definitely quite a massive problem with settlers, both 'legal' and illegal in the Mau Forest, which is not only the water catchment area for the Mara River, but for other major rivers in Western Kenya. Without the forest we all lose a major source of water.
The Mara River has been extremely low for many months now.
William
I just read you blog about the mara going below suitainable level and 400-500 hippos losing life(Mr Omondi from KWS beleives so).Umm are these estimates realistic.I also saw cbs 60 minute video where the american scientist predicts 400,000 animals could die within a week if mara dried up completly.Thats a disaster.Do you see it coming.Is not your government taking steps.how can people like me help apart from donating.