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Updated May 26, 2001 |
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Tarangire National Park
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Above: A baobab near the lodge overlooking the Tarangire River, Jim Swan The most striking feature of Tarangire may be the majestic old baobab trees. They have massive trunks, knurled spindly branches, and edible leaves and fruit. They have been called the "upside down tree" due to their appearance after shedding their leaves. The presence of leaves is dependent on water supply, not time of year. So as ground water dwindles during the dry season, trees will shed leaves, not all necessarily being bare at the same time. Their fibrous wood can be used as rope. Many are hollow or have nooks which catch water or can be used as nesting sites, or hiding places for poachers or Sierra Club tour groups.
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Tarangire was the last wildlife park for our Sierra Club tour, and one of the most beautiful. The combination of spectacular scenery, magnificent concentrations of wildlife, and very comfortable accommodations with good views made this park a favorite spot.
The Tarangire River provides a permanent water supply which attracts large concentrations of animals, especially during the dry season. Large herds of zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, eland, oryx, and elephant can be found here until October when they move on to lush new grasslands as the short wet season commences. Only the resident species which include waterbuck, impalas, warthogs, dikdiks, giraffes, rhinos, and lesser kudos stay behind.
Other photos: Baboon (and Sandy) outside our tents, John Murdock Another baobab, John Murdock Rock hyrax, Ed Shelley
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Above: The Tarangire River attracts a prodigious variety of wildlife, much of it visible from the lodge which is sited on a bluff above the river. Terry Hansen
In the east central region of Tarangire is the Silale swamp, part of a vast region of rained swampland which attracts an amazing array of birds and animals. There we saw numerous fish eagles, zebra, imapala, waterbuck, as well as many others, and observed a pride of lions at the site of a buffalo kill (see below).
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As in much of the area in which we traveled, we saw many lions in Tarangire National Park. All over northern Tanzania predators seem to be doing well. As do their prey. Abundant food supply based on good rains and other conditions in recent years has led to a flush of herbivores. This year's inconsistent rains and recent drought may presage a die-off in these populations. Then the scavengers will do well.
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But our lion encounters in Tarangire were special because of the circumstances: views of a male lion seemingly posing for us by the road side, and a large pride at the site of a buffalo kill. In the series of photos at left and above (click on images for full screen view) males tussle for dominance over the buffalo kill, a female brings the cubs to the kill, only to think better of it, and the cubs exhibit play behavior. You soon will also be able to see a video clip of this behavior: |
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| The elephant is one
of the symbols of Tarangire National Park, and the park has an abundance
of them. Especially this year with large herds of mothers and many
calves. You may be able to spot the matriarch in a female herd.
This is usually the oldest and largest animal who acts as the leader,
especially during defense. Elephants can live up to 60 years and females
may give birth by age 13. When calves are born the entire herd will be
attentive and protective, especially against predators such as lions.
There is a dominance hierarchy among the male population. At certain
times of year a dominant male goes into a highly sexual state called 'musth'
(pronounced must). This involves a secretion from the temporal
gland at the side of the head and continued dribbling of urine. Such
males will associate with female herds when a female is in estrous (seuxual
readiness).
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Many newborn and yearling elephant calves attest to the recent rise in births. John Murdock |
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Elephant families stroll along the Tarangire River. |
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Young elephant males test their prowess against one another. Ed Shelley |
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Water Birds etc. |
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| At swampy areas along the Tarangire River numerous water birds and other denizens provided an ever changing panorama of life. Some of us felt we could have watched and photographed for hours (notwithstanding the mosquitoes and flies). | ||||
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Clockwise from upper left: Saddlebilled stork with fish, yellowbilled stork (both Ed Shelley); saddlebilled stork; maraboo stork (note the vulture-like neck, these birds also scavenge); white pelicans; monitor lizard; white pelicans; saddlebilled stork spreads wings and claps bill in a territory display (all by Jim Swan) |
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Listen to zebras)
Video Clip of Zebras)
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