7 Interesting Facts about the Great Wildebeest Migration : If you’re coming to Tanzania, chances are you’re going to see the wildebeest migration—one of the most spectacular events in the world. And Serengeti is home to this hilarious event, featuring 2 million hoofed animals—that’s 1.5 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebras, and 200,000 gazelles.
Moreover, thousands of elands and impalas follow the migratory animals. Predators never leave their prey unescorted: lions, cheetahs, and hyenas join the herd. Nile crocs in the rivers and lakes welcome these hoofed animals with a wonderful ambush. In this article, we’re going to reveal 7 little-known facts about the wildebeest migration.
- The Mara River crossing is not cross-border
Most of the wildebeest migration takes place in the Tanzanian Serengeti National Park. That’s true, but some sources suggest animals cross the majestic Mara River from Tanzania into Kenya and vice versa. This is false. While the Mara River is perceived as the Tanzania-Kenya border, at some point it’s not. It diverges into either side of these countries. So, when crossing the Mara, animals end up in the same country as they started.
- Zebras are architects of the whole thing.
The blue wildebeests earn many credits for this continuous annual migration, and of course, they’re the primary participants of the Great Migration. But what is little-known or unknown is the contribution of zebras. Zebras shorten (mow it down) long grass and make it possible to make it edible to the wildebeest. Why? A little fact about zebras and wildebeests is that zebras eat the fresh, long grass, while wildebeests eat the shoots of grass. This mutual connection makes the wildebeest migration possible.
- Wildebeest ruts in the Serengeti
There is a misconception about the wildebeest. And that’s when they cross into the Masai Mara to get pregnant, and once they do so, they return to the greener southern grounds of Serengeti to give birth. Interesting right? But the fact is their rutting season is between April and May. In these two months, they are still in the south or central part of the Serengeti.
- About half a million are born in two months.
Before the onset of massive trekking, wildebeest gave birth—yes, nearly 500,000 calves. And this is one of the interesting actions of the Great Migration. However, most adventurers usually imagine the spectacular Mara River crossings, thus missing the calving season.
Each year, wildebeests give birth from January to February. The southeastern plains of the Serengeti and Ndutu areas of Ngorongoro receive rainfall from November, and by January, they are greener enough to support new life—an additional population of newborns.
It’s exciting to see young wildebeests following their mothers. More interestingly, the predators confront the lives of young ones. Mothers confront predators by staying in huge herds or using their curved horns to scare away predators. Of course, the area is full of drama—the struggle for survival between predators and prey.
- A newly born wildebeest calf can stand after 3 minutes.
You probably know how long it takes for a human child to stand. If this is not enough, a cattle calf takes around 2 hours to stand on its feet. Wondrously, a wildebeest calf can stand within 3 minutes of birth. After 20 minutes, this creature can run so fast enough to escape from fierce predators like a cheetah. That’s so amazing. Their companions, zebras, also give birth to foals. Foals can walk or run after an hour.
You may be wondering why calves of hoofed animals can get up easily. These animals are precocial, meaning their young are born in an advanced state, being able to adapt to the brutal world of predators and constant movement. And that’s why most precocial species like wildebeests, elands, zebras, etc. have long gestation periods (9 months for wildebeests and elands and 13 months for zebras).
- Wildebeest have their clocks.
The Great Migration is a natural phenomenon, and events like these are hardly predictable. Therefore, you won’t get the right time, but only estimates, which might change. For instance, wildebeest start to face the Mara River crossings from June to August. Sometimes you may miss even a single crossing. Again, they decide when to move and when to stay. So, finding them stationary and not making a move is common.
- The wildebeest leaves a scent on the trail for others to follow.
Wildebeest migrate in big herds. Herds might be many kilometers away. So, how do they manage to follow the exact path? It’s interesting. Their hooves, once they step on the ground, leave a scent for others to follow. From late December, the herd united together, forming a big herd. The big herd offers some advantages regarding the safety of young ones.
And finally, you have them! The great wildebeest migration is a spectacle no traveler would risk missing out on. If you’re inspired to be part of this animal migration, contact Focus East Africa Tours safari specialist.
