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We want to begin by thanking our community – conservationists, safari enthusiasts, photographers, and wildlife advocates – for your passionate voices and genuine concerns about what we’ve all witnessed.
Your commitment to protecting the Great Migration runs as deep as ours, and we’re grateful for those who continue to shine a light on practices that threaten this natural wonder. A special thanks to @nickkleer and @africansafarimag for sharing the viral footage that has sparked this crucial conversation.
HerdTracker was founded with a simple mission: to share the magic of the Great Migration with the world. We believe that by tracking and sharing the movements of this incredible phenomenon, we can help people connect with one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles while fostering a deep respect for wildlife and the ecosystems that sustain them.
The heartbreaking footage of dozens of safari vehicles blocking wildebeest at river crossings – as well as the most recent footage of tourists getting out of their vehicles, putting their lives and the wellbeing of the animals in danger – forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: the very thing we sought to celebrate and protect is being compromised by overtourism and unethical guiding practices.
We’ve watched with growing concern as increased visitation to crossing points has led to vehicles forming barriers that disrupt natural animal behaviour, guides prioritising the “perfect shot” over animal welfare, and visitors treating this sacred natural event as if it were a theme park attraction.
❗️The Great Migration is not a theme park attraction. It’s a raw, wild event that deserves our respect. ❗️
Recognising this challenge, we haven’t stood idle. We’ve implemented a new policy for posting HerdTracker updates: we now deliberately delay posting updates to HerdTracker and our social media channels, to prevent any possibility of our posts having an impact on the great migration’s movements, especially for river crossing events.
Today, we’re announcing that we are actively conducting a comprehensive review of HerdTracker’s role and responsibility in the future of Great Migration tourism. This isn’t just about tweaking our platform; it’s about fundamentally examining how we can ensure that our passion for sharing wildlife experiences doesn’t inadvertently contribute to their destruction.
While we work on these changes, we urgently call upon every traveller planning a migration safari to be part of the solution:
- Research responsibly: Ask your safari company about their group sizes, vehicle limits, and commitment to wildlife-first practices.
- Choose ethical operators: Support companies that prioritise animal welfare over photo opportunities and have clear policies about respectful wildlife viewing.
- Be an advocate in the field: Speak up against unethical practices, even if it means missing “the perfect shot” – the animals’ well-being must come first.
- Think beyond the crossing: The migration is magnificent in all its phases. Don’t let the pursuit of dramatic river scenes blind you to the everyday miracles happening across the ecosystem.
The Great Migration has survived droughts, predators, and changing landscapes for millennia. It should not be threatened by cameras and vehicles. We’re committed to sharing the wonder of Africa with the world, in a responsible way.
The Great Migration should not be threatened by our cameras and our vehicles. We’re committed to getting this right, even if it means fundamentally changing how we operate.
The migration belongs to the wild. Our job is to witness it with wonder, and to help protect it for future generations.
See our the original images here.
Sincerely,
Andre Van Kets
Co-Founder, Discover Africa
Creator, HerdTracker
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13 Feb 2024
