When scientists write about themselves, others or our
profession, the topics are often about the “whats”. What we do, what topics or
areas of interest do we have, or what we produce in terms of research. However,
sometimes, the “where” is the most important question.
I recently had the fortune to travel to Tanzania to witness
the Great Migration of wildebeest and other grazing herbivores across the
Serengeti. It is truly one of the greatest spectacles in the natural world,
being the largest land mammal migration on Earth. There are over one-and-a-half
million wildebeest, about 200,000 zebra and 500,000 Thomson's gazelle in the
herd.
Millions of wild animals surrounded me and it was not only a
visual spectacle but an auditory one as well. As I closed my eyes, I heard
thousands upon thousands of baby wildebeest and zebra calling to their mothers
and an equal number of mothers returning the call. The sound was almost
deafening.
This experience took me outside of my day-to-day life and
myself. I am one of the lucky few that loves their job and truly, I have never
worked a day in my life. Nevertheless, to experience the Great Migration, not
just see it on television, but to truly be there, was a life affirming and life
changing experience.
The most important words I have ever read about
this wonderful phenomenon did not come from Science, Nature or for that matter
any other respected scientific journal. The words that matter most, were
written on an old T-shirt that our driver wore—“The Serengeti Shall Never Die”.
Dr. Gerald Post
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