Social Life 1. Migrations are one of the most fascinating phenomena that can be seen in Africa. Main predators of wildebeest include lions, spotted hyenas, painted dogs, leopards, cheetahs, and crocodiles. The population trend overall is stable and the numbers in the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) have increased to about 1,300,000. For instance, the horns resemble those of the female African buffalo. It is an iconic event that has been celebrated internationally for decades by photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and safari aficionados. [16] Chromosomes were studied in a male and a female wildebeest. This is one of the techniques behind their success in multiplying in numbers amidst high concentration of predators in Serengeti national park. ©2001-2019 Safari West Wildlife Preserve and Tent Camp | site: revel. Elaborate individual displays are made during their rivalry, and they may bellow, snort, and dig their horns into the ground. These calves can stand and run within 3-7 minutes of birth. These small territories are about 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft; 0.74 acres), with up to 300 territories per 1 square kilometre (0.39 sq mi; 250 acres). Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. It is one of the animals that draw tourists to the area to observe big game, and as such, it is of major economic importance to the region. [21], Female calves will stay with their mothers and other related females of the herd throughout their lives. While the migration may seem like a chaotic frenzy of movement, research shows that a herd of wildebeest possess what is known as ‘swarm intelligence’. Sometimes the herds plunge off the banks and be killed from the fall or crushed by the volume of the panicking wildebeest trying to get to dry land on the other side. Wildebeest looks like a close relative of a bovine because of its disproportional body. Masks are Required. Wildebeest is one of the largest antelopes. Trees such as Brachystegia and Combretum spp. C. t. johnstoni (Sclater, 1896) The southern limit of the blue wildebeest stops at the Orange River, while the western limit is bounded by Lake Victoria and Mount Kenya. While in season, a female may visit several territories and mate with several different males. The Afrikaans word 'wildebeest' translates as 'wild beast!'. Body language used by a territorial male includes standing with an erect posture, profuse ground pawing, and horning, frequent defecation, rolling and bellowing, and the sound "ga-noo" being produced. [1], As one of the major herbivores of southern and eastern Africa, the blue wildebeest plays an important role in the ecosystem, and is the main prey item for large predators such as the lion. Its on record that over 2 million blue wildebeest annually cross the Mara river to the Maasai Mara national reserve. [41], Each year, some East African populations of blue wildebeest have a long-distance migration, seemingly timed to coincide with the annual pattern of rainfall and grass growth. The blue wildebeest was at first placed under a separate genus, Gorgon,[16][17] while the black wildebeest belonged to the genus Connochaetes. These extremely agile and wary animals can run at speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph), waving their tails and tossing their heads. [13], According to a mitochondrial DNA analysis, the black wildebeest are estimated to have diverged from the main lineage during the Middle Pleistocene and became a distinct species around a million years ago. In some animals, the tympanic part of the temporal bone is highly deformed, and in others, the radius and ulna are fused. The southern limit of the blue wildebeest range is the Orange River, while the western limit is bounded by Lake Victoria and Mount Kenya. +255-759-317-158 It forms herds which move about in loose aggregations, the animals being fast runners and extremely wary. When grasses and leaves are hard to come by, migratory herds of several thousand wildebeest travel hundreds of miles to find food. 80% of calves are born during the same 2-3 week period, just before rainy season. [40] Population density ranges from 0.15/km2. Wildebeests are not listed as endangered animals. [42] The timing of their migrations in both the rainy and dry seasons can vary considerably (by months) from year to year. Voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph. Blue wildebeest graze in a group alongside the Zebras that have high sensitivity of the predators hence creating an awareness to the wildebeests. At the end of the wet season (May or June in East Africa), wildebeest migrate to dry-season areas in response to a lack of surface (drinking) water. In Serengeti national park the calving season has broken records where more than half million calves are born daily. are common in these areas. They can compete with domestic livestock for grazing and water and can transmit fatal diseases like rinderpest to cattle and cause epidemics among animals. Wildebeest are a vital species in a complicated web of life that includes plants, animals, predators, and prey. Size and Appearance [56], Today, many wildebeest populations are experiencing rapid declines. [28] One study found, in addition to phosphorus, wildebeest select ranges containing grass with relatively high nitrogen content. boy do their mouths water! It has large, box-shaped head, and strongly built front part of the body. Newborn calves must learn to run to survive. Metaphases were studied in the male's chromosomes, and very large submetacentric chromosomes were found there as well, similar to those in the female both in size and morphology. Crocodiles can control their metabolism and heart rate in order to put themselves into a state of near hibernation without the need for food. Females and young form groups of about 10 individuals or join together in larger aggregations, and nonterritorial males form bachelor groups. In one study, blue wildebeest were found to be hosts to 13 species of nematodes, one trematode, larvae of five oestrid flies, three species of lice, seven ixodid tick species, one mite, and the larvae of a tongue worm. 9. [27], Both species of wildebeest are even-toed, horned, greyish-brown ungulates resembling cattle. [59] Wildebeest, however, can also have a negative impact on humans. [15] Finally, two distinct types of wildebeest – the blue and black wildebeest – were identified. When the rainy season begins again (months later), animals quickly move back to their wet-season ranges. Their primary food consists of rapidly growing grasses found on the savannas and plains. Maasai Mara migration sightings balance action and peace. The most acute threat comes from migration barriers, such as fences and roads. In August and September, the exhilarating Mara River crossings take place, while October and November are more peaceful months as the animals are seen casually grazing on the open plains. [30] Wildebeest are a regular target for illegal meat hunters because their numbers make them easy to find. lions are their chief enemy. Both males and females have curved horns. The population density ranges from 0.15/km2 in Hwange and Etosha National Parks to 35/km2 in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, where they are most plentiful. contact us for details and we will be happy to help. Major predators that feed on wildebeest include the lion, hyena, African wild dog, cheetah, leopard, and crocodile, which seem to favour the wildebeest over other prey. They will urinate and defecate to mark their breeding territory and to keep other males away. My son’s approaching 33 and I often think that he wouldn’t survive without parental help (especially financial). The blue wildebeest migration occurs in Serengeti annually as they cross to Maasai Mara national reserve through the tactical Mara river to look for fresh grass and water. wildebeest have so many predators! Due to their resemblance to wild cattle, these people called them "wild ox" or "wildebeest". It is estimated that some 250,000 wildebeest die en route, affected by hunger, thirst, predation, or exhaustion. Sexual maturity: Male: 3-4 years, Female: 1.5-2.5 years [29] Although the causes of death vary from year to year, in one drought in Botswana, young calves and aged females were the most likely to die. They follow the rains in order to find the juiciest grass that will enable their species to survive and thrive. So, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources rates the blue wildebeest as being of least concern. [15], The diploid number of chromosomes in the blue wildebeest is 58. Bulls may occupy territories, usually about 100 to 400 m (300 to 1,300 ft) apart, but this spacing varies according to the quality of the habitat.

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