The largest mammal migration in the world is that of the Serengeti wildebeest. Huge scores of these antelopes congregate on the East African savannas, a sight which few who have seen will forget.
Several races of wildebeest (also called gnu) exist. The species that forms the large herds of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem of Tanzania and Kenya is known as the western white-bearded wildebeest (C. t. mearnsi). The brindled or blue race occurs south of the Zambezi River; the eastern white-bearded race inhabits Kenya and Tanzania east of Gregory Rift.
The head of the wildebeest is large and box-like and both males and females have curving horns. The front end of the body is heavily built, the hindquarters slender and the legs spindly. The coat is gray and has a black mane and a beard which may be black or white.
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Wildebeest occupy the plains and acacia savannas of eastern Africa.
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When there is enough food for wildebeests to remain relatively sedentary, herds form in the typical fashion of social ungulates: bachelor herds and territorial males with a group of females and offspring. As the dry season deepens, more animals congregate on available grazing lands and thus lose separate herd identities. Wildebeests are continually on the move as they seek favorable supplies of grass and water.
The famous Serengeti population of wildebeest is a very large nomadic group. These animals make a migratory circle of 500 to 1,000 miles each year, beginning right after the calving season in January and February on the southeastern Serengeti plains, moving west toward Lake Victoria, then turning north into the Maasai Mara. They are relentless in their advance and many are injured, lost (especially calves) or killed. By the end of the dry season, the wildebeest have almost exhausted the grazing lands and return south to the Serengeti plains as the rains begin.
Wildebeest females give birth to a single calf in the middle of the herd, not seeking a secluded place, as do many antelopes. Amazingly, about 80 percent of the females calve within the same 2- to 3-week period, creating a glut for predators and thus enabling more calves to survive the crucial first few weeks. A calf can stand and run within minutes of birth. It immediately begins to follow its mother and stays close to her to avoid getting lost or preyed upon. Within days, it can run fast enough to keep up with the adult herd.
A calf eats its first grass at about 10 days, although it is still suckled for at least 6 months. Even after weaning, many remain with the mother until the next year's calf is born. At that time the young males are driven away, but the females often remain in the same groups as their mothers.
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The wildebeest’s blunt muzzle and wide row of incisors are adapted for large bites of short grasses. Wildebeests are water dependant and grazing, trampling and manuring the grasses on which they feed stimulates new growth as long as the ground has sufficient moisture.
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All wildebeest populations across Africa have declined except for the Serengeti population. Habitat fragmentation by fencing off large regions of land poses a large threat to migrating wildebeest.
Did You Know?
- All wildebeest populations across Africa have declined except for the Serengeti population.
- Wildebeest are noisy creatures. Bulls have an array of loud vocalizations, from moans to explosive snorts.
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