Every year, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest migrate from the southern short-grass plains of the Serengeti, Tanzania, to the northern woodlands of Masai Mara, Kenya. Accompanied by a host of companions, the animals move in a perpetual circular motion in search of fresh grazing and water. Yet, the pursuit of greener pastures does not come without its danger and challenges. Delve into the extraordinary journey that is the Great Migration, one of Nature’s Seven Wonders, by following Gnu, a young wildebeest on his very first migration.
Five footprints fading into the screen to represent the wildebeest migrations.
In the nurturing heart of the southern Serengeti, Gnu takes his first breath in early February. Merely a few minutes old, the young calf is already standing on his feet but remains close to his mother in the vast sea of the herd. Surrounded by about 8,000 new calves born each day during the peak of the calving season, Gnu is far from being the only new addition. His large family forms a protective circle around their young, as they graze the plain’s verdant grass for nourishment, fuelling the start of their journey.
As the green season wanes and the long rainy season begins, Gnu’s trek commences. Joined by zebra and gazelle companions, Gnu follows his herd and leaves the familiar southern plains behind to head westward. Their quest for fresh pastures will take them through the vast expanses of the Ndutu, the Dutwa plains, the Ruana plains, and then north, through the Togoro plains and finally Masai Mara. From October, they will start to make their way back, with the end of this annual rhythm bringing Gnu back to his birthplace.
When crossing the Ruana plains, Gnu’s melancholy has faded, the longing for his birth pastures replaced by bewilderment and a blossoming curiosity. The new land is resplendent in its vastitude, savannah as far as the eye can see, dotted with acacia trees. The plains seem richer and more boundless than those he remembers in Ndutu. A wonder sparks in Gnu about the need of their constant migration. Tempted by the lushness around him, he questions his family’s relentless pursuit. Drawn by the desire to explore further and perhaps establish a life right where he is, Gnu strays from the herd, heading towards the horizon.
Yet, Gnu’s decision to explore alone soon exposes him to the dangers that lurk beyond the safety of the herd. His brief solo adventure is abruptly interrupted when he stumbles upon a lioness, camouflaged in the tall grass, her gaze locked firmly on him. In this moment, his vulnerability becomes painfully clear. Realising his perilous mistake, Gnu dashes for safety, his instincts sharpened by fear. His mother, ever watchful, spots him in the distance. Panic spreads but thankfully the alarm is raised and the herd rallies to his side, offering protection in numbers.
While Gnu found sanctuary at the heart of the herd, the lioness, driven by hunger and cubs of her own to feed, did not abandon the hunt. Her sights shifted to another prey—an older wildebeest, lagging due to injury and age. The pride’s attack was swift, and the elder wildebeest fell, losing his life in the chaos that Gnu had unwittingly sparked. This harsh reality weighs heavily on Gnu’s heart, leaving him guilt-ridden as he realises the dreadful consequences of his escapade. The gravity of their journey sinks within Gnu as he comes to grasp that their migration transcends mere movement from place to place; it is a battle for survival, bound by shared destinies where each member’s actions can affect the entire herd.
Stricken with grief but driven by the need to survive, Gnu and the herd press forward. Deep into the Togoro plains, Gnu’s sorrow matures into a quiet contemplation. He no longer longs for adventure, now painfully aware of the grave risks. He struggles to find meaning and hope to his journey. Though filled with excitement and beauty at first, his march now unfolds under a shadow of vulnerability and fear.
As the weeks roll into months, Gnu finds solace and comfort in the camaraderie of his fellow travellers. The long walks, shared meals, and hardship has deepened their connections, bridging Gnu's thoughts from solitude to solidarity. Around him, he realises that others echo similar feelings of uncertainty and doubts. In the camaraderie of his peers, Gnu realises that is not alone in his fears or dreams and finds glimpses of peace.
Clouds moving horizontally across the screen representing time moving.
Waves moving horizontally back and forth at the bottom of the screen
Eventually, the journey brings Gnu and his family to the banks of the Mara River, a natural border separating Tanzania and Kenya, fraught with peril yet essential to cross. With the roar of the river at their feet, the herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle halt, their bodies tense with anticipation. The air is heavy with the musk of fear, the powerful current a barrier they must overcome. Together, they wait at the water’s edge, the collective pause thick with the anxiety of the unknown.
Suddenly, there is agitation as a young zebra, jostled by the crowd, slips and splashes into the turbulent river. Instantly, the lurking crocodiles stir, their eyes fixed on the new prey. In a split second of decisive bravery, Gnu plunges into the river, hoping to distract the predators and save his friend. His legs paddle fiercely against the current, unaware of the movement behind him, his focus unwavering as he aims for the opposite shore. Miraculously, Gnu reaches the bank, panting and dripping. As he turns around in the hope of seeing his friend, it is only to discover frenzy. Thousands of wildebeest have begun their crossing, following in his wake, inspired by his courage.
This final illustration incorporates a number of visual elements presented earlier during Gnu's journey.
Gnu stands in the centre, at the top of a plain, with his mother, the zebra and the gazelle behind him, surrounded by boabab trees, waves and plants.
Each element appears one after the other, symbolising the fact that Gnu has found his place.
On the fresh, green banks of the Mara River, Gnu watches as the remainder of the herd makes their way across the river. Among the crowd, he spots the young zebra, now safe and grazing contentedly. His heart swells with relief, yet it aches for those who were lost to the river. His mixed emotions mirror the duality of the crossing bringing either life or death, the cycle of life. As he embraces the complexity of these emotions, Gnu finds himself part of the circle surrounding the young in his herd. Conscious of his place, Gnu realises his purpose and feels a deep sense of belonging. As he steps forward into the Mara, Gnu is ready to continue his path alongside those who share this vast and vibrant world.
