MASAI MARA , Kenya ( CNN ) -- The migration of more than a million wildebeest between Kenya and Tanzania is one of the wonders of the natural world . Tourists from around the globe have flocked to Kenya to witness the herds streaming across the savanna and over the Mara River . Poachers set steel snares amongst the thorn trees to capture wildebeest headed on their annual migration . But now this annual migration is under threat from poachers . `` When the animals come into Kenya there is this big influx of poachers , '' says Brian Heath , CEO of the Mara Conservancy that manages animal protection in the border regions of the park . `` Unless we control it we are in danger of the number of animals being poached not being able to sustain the population . '' The conservation NGO depends on tourists to finance their anti-poaching operations . A portion of each tourist 's entrance fee goes to their operations . They have had plenty of funding in normal years , but this is not a normal year in Kenya . The political violence stemming from Kenya 's disputed election caused visitors to cancel their trips or look elsewhere for their vacation . And though the country has been peaceful for months , the tourists have stayed away . As a result , the Mara Conservancy is running at a massive shortfall and has had to scale back on anti-poaching efforts . The low numbers of tourists hurts the economy in Kenya , but it also puts the wildlife at risk . Watch how poaching is threatening the wildlife of the Masai Mara » . `` If we can not run our operations as normal , then we fear that poachers may invade the park , kill the animals and then at the end of the day we do not have animals . They will destroy the Mara , '' says Joseph Kimojino , one of the head rangers . It sounds alarmist , but the facts back him up . Every herd requires a critical mass to survive and to move . Experts believe that between 40,000 and 100,000 wildebeest are poached a year . If the poaching increases to a certain level , it could spell disaster . `` If the numbers of animals in the migration were to reduce below a certain number then that migration may not be sustained into Kenya , '' Heath warns . `` And that would have a huge and devastating effect on Kenya 's tourism . '' Watch astonishing footage of migrating wildebeest » . The rangers are after an elusive foe . The majority of the poachers come from Tanzania . They sneak over the fenceless border and hunt animals for bush meat . Watch David McKenzie 's behind the scenes report on shooting this story » . During the migration , they set up snares made from steel wires . The snares are meant for the wildebeests , but they kill indiscriminately , tearing into the flesh of zebras , giraffes , hyenas and even elephants . Though they have had to cut back on patrols , the rangers have n't given up yet . Joseph Kimojino , after 20 years at the park , has started a blog to try and raise money for the anti-poaching efforts . Read Joseph Kimojino 's blog . They have managed to raise around $ 60,000 . But with a shortfall of almost $ 50,000 every month , they have a long way to go . But without their efforts the migration would certainly be under threat and one of the most breathtaking scenes of nature could disappear forever .
Wildlife in Kenya 's Mount Mara national park is being targeted by elephants . Poaching may threaten annual migration of elephants between Kenya , Tanzania . Unrest following last year 's disputed election has undermined Kenyan conservation . As a consequence , conservationists forced to scale back anti - poaching efforts .