The Great Migration in East Africa is one of the most amazing wildlife events in the world. Every year, millions of animals travel across the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. They are searching for fresh grass and water, moving in a huge circle that covers hundreds of miles. The migration is mainly made up of three types of animals: wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. Each of these animals plays a special role in this grand journey. Let’s take a closer look at each one and how they participate in the migration.
Wildebeest in Kenya and Tanzania
The wildebeest, also known as the gnu, is the main animal involved in the Great Migration. Over 1.5 million wildebeest make the long journey every year, moving in a large herd. They travel in search of fresh grass and water, which are crucial for their survival. Wildebeest are strong, sturdy animals with large heads and curved horns. They can run fast and cover great distances. During the migration, they face many challenges, such as crossing rivers full of crocodiles and escaping from predators like lions. The wildebeest are the heart of the migration, and their movement is what drives the entire event.
Zebras:
Zebras are another key species that take part in the Great Migration. About 200,000 zebras join the wildebeest in their journey across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. Zebras have black and white stripes and are smaller than wildebeest. They are herbivores, meaning they eat plants, and they rely on grass for food. Zebras often travel alongside wildebeest because they eat different parts of the grass, making it easier for both species to survive together. They also help the wildebeest by acting as “watchers” for predators, since zebras have excellent vision and can see danger from a distance.
Thomson’s Gazelle:
The Thomson’s gazelle, or “Tommy,” is another common participant in the migration. About 500,000 gazelles join the wildebeest and zebras in their journey. Gazelles are small, graceful antelopes with tan and white coats. They are very fast runners and use their speed to escape predators like cheetahs and lions. Gazelles are also herbivores and graze on the same grasslands as the wildebeest and zebras. They usually stay at the edges of the migration herd, avoiding the large crowds in the middle. Their presence adds to the diversity of animals in the migration and helps balance the ecosystem.
Eland:
Elands are the largest antelope species, and they also take part in the Great Migration, though in smaller numbers. They are much bigger than gazelles and have a tan or light brown coat. Elands have long, spiraled horns, which they use to defend themselves from predators. Like other herbivores, they depend on grass for food, so they follow the rains and the growing grass during the migration. While elands are not as numerous as wildebeest or zebras, they are an important part of the migration and add to the diversity of animals moving across the plains.
Grant’s Gazelle:
The Grant’s gazelle is another species that can be seen during the migration, though it is not as common as the Thomson’s gazelle. They are slightly larger than Thomson’s gazelles and have a similar tan and white coat. Like their smaller relatives, Grant’s gazelles are herbivores that feed on grass. They are also very fast runners, which helps them escape predators. Grant’s gazelles often stay on the edges of the migration and graze in areas that are less crowded. While they are fewer in number, they still play a role in the migration by contributing to the overall movement of herbivores.
Topi:
Topis are another type of antelope that participate in the Great Migration. They have a reddish-brown coat and long, straight horns. Topis are medium-sized antelopes and are known for their speed and agility. Like the other herbivores in the migration, topis follow the rains in search of fresh grass. They usually travel in small herds and stay close to the larger groups of wildebeest and zebras. While topis are not as numerous as wildebeest, they are still an important part of the migration, as they help keep the ecosystem balanced by grazing on the grasslands.
Lions:
Lions are one of the main predators that follow the migration. As the herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains, lions hunt them for food. Lions are strong, powerful animals that live in groups called prides. They usually work together to hunt, using their strength and teamwork to bring down large prey. During the migration, lions have plenty of food to hunt, making it a time of abundance for them. However, hunting is not always easy, as the migrating animals are fast and constantly moving. The presence of lions adds to the drama of the migration, as the herds must stay alert to avoid being caught.
Cheetahs
Cheetahs are another predator that follows the migration. Known for being the fastest land animal, cheetahs can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in short bursts. They use their incredible speed to chase down gazelles and other small prey during the migration. Cheetahs are solitary hunters, meaning they usually hunt alone, unlike lions that hunt in groups. The migration provides cheetahs with plenty of opportunities to catch food, but they must act quickly, as larger predators like lions and hyenas can steal their kill. Cheetahs rely on the abundance of prey during the migration to survive and raise their young.
Hyenas
Hyenas are scavengers and predators that take advantage of the Great Migration. They often follow the herds, looking for weak or injured animals that are easier to catch. Hyenas have strong jaws and can eat almost any part of an animal, including bones. They are known for their “laughing” sounds, which they use to communicate with each other. During the migration, hyenas also scavenge from kills made by other predators like lions and cheetahs.
Crocodiles
Crocodiles are another predator involved in the migration, especially during the dangerous river crossings. When the herds of wildebeest and zebras reach rivers like the Mara River, they must cross the water to continue their journey. Crocodiles lie in wait in the rivers, ready to catch any animal that gets too close. These river crossings are some of the most dramatic moments of the migration, as hundreds of animals try to cross while avoiding the hungry crocodiles. Crocodiles use their powerful jaws to grab their prey and pull them underwater.
Leopards
Leopards are another predator that benefits from the migration. Leopards are stealthy and solitary hunters that prefer to hunt at night. They are excellent climbers and often hide in trees, waiting to ambush their prey. During the migration, leopards take advantage of the abundance of animals to hunt. They usually target smaller prey like gazelles, but they can also catch young wildebeest and zebras. Leopards are skilled at staying hidden, so they are not as easily spotted as lions or cheetahs, but their presence adds to the danger faced by the migrating herds.
Vultures
Vultures are scavengers that follow the migration, looking for carcasses left behind by predators. These large birds have sharp beaks and excellent eyesight, allowing them to spot dead animals from high in the sky. Vultures help clean up the environment by eating the remains of animals that have died during the migration. They are an important part of the ecosystem, as they prevent the spread of disease by removing dead bodies. Vultures often gather in large groups around a carcass, making it easy to spot them during the migration.
Jackals
Jackals are small predators and scavengers that also follow the migration. These clever animals hunt small prey like rodents and birds, but they also scavenge from the kills of larger predators. Jackals are fast runners and use their speed to escape danger. During the migration, jackals benefit from the abundance of food, either by hunting on their own or by taking advantage of the leftovers from lions and hyenas. Jackals play a role in the ecosystem by keeping the population of smaller animals in check and cleaning up after larger predators.
Conclusion: The Great Migration is a journey of survival, showcasing the incredible instincts and adaptations of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. Each animal has its role to play, from the wildebeest leading the way to the zebras and gazelles following and maintaining the grasslands. Together, they create a natural spectacle that is both beautiful and vital for the health of East Africa’s plains.
