For the first time ever, the spectacular Serengeti wildebeest migration will be broadcast live to ensure that millions across the world can witness this amazing show. From September 29 to October 5th, the migration will be broadcast by a team from HerdTracker twice per day, for about 10 to 20 minutes via the two video streaming apps – YouTube and Periscope.
On top of the live feed, the audience will be entertained with expert commentary and real-time answers to questions about the wildlife, by experts on the ground.
The migration of the wildebeest, for which Serengeti has become famous all across the world, is the largest mammal migration in the world and has consequently earned a spot on Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders list.
The amazing journey of these wildebeest begins in June and goes through until October which includes the spectacular crossing of the Mara River, where the animals risk their lives, as they look to stampede through the crocodile infested river to cross over to the other side.
According to HerdTracker, the stampedes are very deadly on their own, as the organization have several documented aftermaths of such stampedes where thousands of wildebeest have died.
“It’s that Lion King moment brought to life,” commented Herdtracker’s Andre Van Kets.
“We’ve seen this for 10 to 12 years and it’s just so exciting and exhilarating every time,” said HerdTracker founder Carel Verhoef.
Now with the incorporation of internet and technology, the amazing migration of these animals will not be limited to only those lucky few who can make it Africa at the right time.
Hence there will be “no excuse not to witness this,” added Verhoef.
HerdTracker will utilize a portable satellite dish to conduct the world’s first broadcast of the migration in line with a mobile app, which it created back in 2014, which has the ability to plot the exact location of the wildebeest migration in real time which will be illustrated on Google map and a customized timeline-interface.
Mr. Verhoef, who has been a safari guide in East Africa for more than a decade has seen his share of disappointed of tourists who had travelled to Africa to witness the great migration but missed it in the end due to incorrect timing and location.
“It’s a bit like trying to find a hundred guys in red t-shirts in Manhattan,” explained Mr. Verhoef.
“It’s very hard because in the bigger scheme of things there are just too many people and too many things going on. If you are keeping an eye on your hundred red t-shirts through the year it makes it easier, and that’s in essence a very simplified version of what HerdTracker is all about.
We just keep a tab on these things every day and it makes it a lot easier to find them the next day,” added Mr. Verhoef.
Benzamin H
Latest posts by Benzamin H (see all)
- Daily Intake of Aspirins can help Double GI Cancer Patients’ Life Expectancy, according to Study - October 5, 2015
- The Great Serengeti Migration will be Broadcast Live for First Time via HerdTracker - October 2, 2015
- UK Surgeons Carry out First Successful Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Blindness - October 1, 2015
