Post Lab Research Featured - Wildebeest Mass Drownings

A new paper from the Post Lab (link is external) published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (link is external) explores mass drowning of wildebeest during their annual migration. Each year 1.2 million wildebeest migrate from Tanzania into Kenya where they repeatedly cross the Mara River. During these iconic river crossings, wildebeest drown by the hundreds to thousands. 

Subalusky et al. (2017) (link is external) estimates that 6250 carcasses and 1100 tons of biomass enter the Mara River each year - the equivalent biomass of around 10 blue whales. The carcasses feed crocodiles, vultures, and the aquatic food web as they decompose. Bones from the carcasses provide a long-term source of phosphorus for aquatic producers and consumers. 

News stories:

Yale University Press release  (link is external)and video:

Cary Institute press release (link is external)

Science Magazine story and video (link is external)

Washington Post (link is external)

The Atlantic (link is external)