Where the gazelle and the antelope play...

June 13, 2007 4:54 AM

Unexpectedly, thousands of mammals were spotted during their migration in the Southern Sudan surprising scientists who had given up thinking that wildlife might still exist [video link] in this war torn region of the world.
posted by infini (11 comments total)

Those are the strangest looking antelopes I have ever seen. Thanks for these links. It is good to see some of earth's endangered species coping with humanities nonsense in this area.
posted by AmberV at 6:12 AM on June 13, 2007

It's suspected to be the largest animal migration on earth, larger than the Serengeti.
posted by stbalbach at 6:12 AM on June 13, 2007

(This would be 100x funnier, which is to say "funny at all" if I could find an image link, but anyway)

It reminds of an old Far Side. A huge herd of animals is trampling a fence and headed for a rocket that's about to blast off. The guard is on the phone saying "something big must be going down".
posted by DU at 6:30 AM on June 13, 2007

I want to go on safari soon, before ....
posted by infini at 6:44 AM on June 13, 2007

Actually, AmberV, Southern Sudan is a semi-autonomous region, quite separate from the Darfur region. It's believed the migration is allowed to remain in tact because of a gigantic wetland (the Sudd) that serves as a natural barrier to poaching.

But yeah, truly awesome. You might remember Mike Fay from his Megatransect and Megaflyover days.

(p.s. I helped a little on the press release for this).
posted by one_bean at 6:58 AM on June 13, 2007

Gorgeous. Thanks for this link.
posted by agregoli at 7:01 AM on June 13, 2007

Oh, wow! You just made my day, infini. Thank you!
posted by LeeJay at 9:08 AM on June 13, 2007

So, they've survived the war(s) to only have their migration path be disrupted by Big Oil.

Ugh...
posted by symbioid at 10:48 AM on June 13, 2007

The photos in the first Guardian link are viscerally exciting. They made my heart thrill, even without thinking of context. In context, they're the most moving thing I'll experience today.
posted by lostburner at 11:42 AM on June 13, 2007

I am moved. Its good to know that all is not lost yet...
posted by subaruwrx at 12:09 PM on June 13, 2007

Surely a little eco-tourism would help the region?
posted by jaronson at 4:23 PM on June 13, 2007