Weekly Wilderness Webinar 13
Today was the Final Wildebeest Encounter. We watched as a wildebeest mother gave birth in the largest mass birthing event in the world. Birthing usually takes place before 10 am. It is a vulnerable time, and after a long journey of migratory survival, this is the final countdown. New life begins again. It is a vulnerable time because lions and hyenas scowl the planes to find the newly born or the birthing mothers, it is a time when the support and protection of the herd are critical.
The video concludes as we see a newly born wildebeest, running wild and free, alongside its mother, across the Serengeti plains, dotted with predators, elephants, vultures, and other wildlife that thrive there. We are reminded of the circle of life as the whole ecosystem hangs in a contented balance.
LIFE INSIGHT 1
The group considered the long journey the wildebeest had endured with swollen, fast-flowing rivers, studded with large, carnivorous crocodiles; they had been harassed by hungry hyenas and lions; and now that the wildebeest had reached their final resting place, new life was about to begin.
The life insight we reflected on was the hard work it takes to give birth and reproduce. Whether you are a wildebeest part of a migration, a pregnant mother, or working on a project, dream, or goal, the birthing process is a vulnerable time. A time when you feel at risk, where you wonder whether the baby is going to have 10 fingers and 10 toes, or whether your new achievement is going to be good enough.
At a time like this, it is important to have the support of the herd, the team, the family. It is important to be in the right environment: for the wildebeest, supportive this may be a flat patch of earth, for the pregnant mother it may be a peaceful, soothing home-birthing pool and a suportive midwife and husband; and for the budding executive launching his 'new baby', the support of the team he has co-created with.
LIFE INSIGHT 2
During the birthing time, there are lean lions wandering amongst the herd. Driven by hunger, but choosing to conserve their energy and hunt where the prey is plentiful.
The life insight gained here was that to 'hunt' or move forward in life, you need to be 'hungry'. It is wise to work smart and not waste your energy on unnecessary or frivolous, distracting pursuits.
Two of the male lions we saw strolling the savannah were injured from a tough, territorial battle the previous night. They were fending off a rival brotherhood of lions. They were taking it easy while their females, the lionesses of their pride, did the hunting, and provided them with a restorative feast.
The life insight gained was that everyone has a unique role to play in their family, work, community, to ensure procreation and survival.
Please join us on the next Weekly Wilderness Webinar next Thursday at 12.30 (GMT +1) to learn some amazing takeaway, life-changing Personal & Professional insights as we:
GO BATTY
and watch the biggest migration of another species,
the fruitbats of Kasanka National Park, Zambia
To join in please email me on wildernessencountersafrica@gmail.com