A herd of zebras has taken the world record for making the longest annual migratory journey ever documented in Africa.
A few thousand Burchell's zebras travel more than 300 miles in a linear journey to a point and back, traversing across Namibia and Botswana, National Geographic reported. Many animals migrate to follow food and water sources as the seasons change, but the researchers studying the zebras were surprised both by their dedicated path and the record-breaking distance of their journey.
"The almost unerring north-south direction was unusual," said lead author Robin Naidoo, senior conservation scientist at the World Wildlife Fund, as quoted by National Geographic.
"The distance covered by these zebra was a total shock to all of us involved in the study, as well as to people familiar with wildlife conservation in the region," Naidoo said. "Nobody knew that something of this scale, with this much ground covered, was occurring."
Publishing their findings in the journal Oryx, the scientists observed that the zebras seemed to bypass wet-season alternative spots that were closer. Based on outside research, they believe that zebras may be following a route passed down from generations.
Tracking migration routes is vital for conservationists, helping them to know which areas to protect for various species.
"Migration allows species to exist at higher densities, in different habitats, than they would be able to without the migratory corridors," said ungulate ecologist Mark Hebblewhite of the University of Montana, as quoted by National Geographic.
"We know that the power of biodiversity comes from the connections between species themselves, and migration is one of the most important mechanisms to maintain these connections," he said. "As we lose migratory movements, we lose links between ecosystems, species, and processes."
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