WHY DO WILDEBEEST MIGRATE TOGETHER?
Wildebeest, also known as gnus, are remarkable animals known for their annual migration across the African savannahs. This migration is one of the most famous wildlife spectacles in the world and involves hundreds of thousands of these creatures traveling together. This movement is a key part of their lives and happens every year. Traveling as a group plays an important role in their survival, and it is one of the most remarkable spectacles in the animal kingdom.
- Looking for Food and Water
Wildebeest mainly eat grass, and they need a lot of it to survive. In East Africa, the seasons change from wet to dry, which affects how much fresh grass is available. During the rainy season, the southern Serengeti becomes full of green grass, so the wildebeest gather there to eat. But as the dry season starts, the grass and water sources begin to disappear. This forces the wildebeest to move north toward the Masai Mara, where fresh grass and water are more likely to be found.
By migrating in large groups, wildebeest increase their chances of finding enough food and water. Moving as a herd means they can cover more ground and quickly find areas where rain has fallen and grass has grown. This group effort helps them survive through the year, even when food is scarce in some places.
- Avoiding Predators
Wildebeest migrate in large groups to help protect themselves from predators like lions, hyenas, and crocodiles. By sticking together, they make it harder for predators to single out one animal to attack. When so many wildebeest are moving at once, it creates confusion for predators, making it more difficult to target one wildebeest. This safety in numbers is one of the main reasons they travel in such huge herds. Even though some may still be caught by predators, the large group helps protect most of the wildebeest, especially the young and weaker ones.
Additionally, wildebeest are always on the move, which helps them avoid staying too long in areas where predators are common. As they migrate, they pass through different regions, staying in places where there is food and water and fewer predators. Predators often follow the herds, but because the wildebeests are constantly moving, they don’t give predators much time to organize attacks. By moving together and not staying in one place for too long, wildebeest increase their chances of survival and reduce the risk of being hunted.
- Social Structure and Communication
Wildebeest are social animals that rely on each other to survive. They have a social structure, and migrating together helps them maintain their group bonds. They communicate with each other through sounds and body language to coordinate their movement. This helps them make decisions about where to go and when to move.
Within the herd, older and more experienced wildebeest often lead the way, guiding others to places where food and water can be found. Younger wildebeest learn these routes and survival skills by following the adults. This group learning process is crucial for their survival, ensuring that the knowledge of migration is passed down to the next generation.
- Breeding and Raising Calves
Wildebeest migration is closely linked to their breeding and raising of calves. They time their migration to ensure that they are in areas with plenty of food and water when it’s time for the females to give birth. Most calves are born around the same time, which is usually during the rainy season when the grass is green and nutritious. This gives the newborns the best chance of survival, as the mothers have enough food to produce milk and keep their calves strong and healthy. Wildebeest calves are able to stand and walk within minutes of being born, which is crucial for keeping up with the migrating herd.
Raising calves in a large group also provides protection from predators. With so many calves born at once, the chances of any one being caught by a predator, like a lion or hyena, are reduced. The herd helps shield the young by staying close together, making it harder for predators to target any single calf. This strategy, called “safety in numbers,” improves the survival rate of the calves. By migrating together, the wildebeest ensure that their young grow up in safer conditions with plenty of food to support their early growth.
- Built-in behaviour and survival changes over time
Wildebeest are born with certain instincts, or built-in behaviours, that help them survive. One of these instincts is migration, meaning they naturally know when and where to move without being taught. This behaviour is triggered by changes in their surroundings, like the dry and rainy seasons. When the grass starts to dry up, they feel the urge to move to areas with more food and water. This instinct is something they have had for many generations, passed down from their ancestors, helping them live in harsh environments.
Over time, these instincts have evolved, or changed, to fit their needs better. As the environment changes, such as the availability of food, wildebeest have adapted their migration routes and timing. This evolution ensures they can find enough resources to survive, even when conditions are tough. The migration patterns we see today are the result of thousands of years of survival changes, with each generation learning how to respond to the natural world in a way that helps the whole herd thrive. This instinctive behaviour is what keeps them alive year after year.
- Reacting to changes in nature
Wildebeest migrate because they need to react to changes in nature, especially when it comes to food and water. During the dry season, the grass and water sources in one area start to disappear. The wildebeest know it’s time to move to a new place where the rainy season has started and fresh grass is growing. They follow the rains and move to greener areas, ensuring they have enough to eat and drink. This reaction to changes in nature is essential for their survival because staying in a dry area would mean starvation and dehydration.
As the seasons continue to change, the wildebeest keep moving, always looking for the best conditions to live in. They don’t stay in one place for too long because nature is always shifting. By following the natural patterns of rainfall and grass growth, they can find the resources they need to survive. This constant movement in response to the environment helps the wildebeest avoid dangerous situations, like droughts, and ensures they are always in the best possible conditions to live and raise their young.
- Energy Conservation
Traveling in a large herd can be more energy-efficient for wildebeest. When they move together, they can use the herd to break paths through tall grasses and cross dangerous areas like rivers more safely. This collective movement makes the journey less physically demanding for each individual.
By moving as a group, they can travel long distances more efficiently. They follow well-worn paths created by previous migrations, which makes their travel easier and less dangerous. This is crucial since the migration covers hundreds of miles and requires a lot of energy from each animal.
- Teamwork with Other Animals
Wildebeest often migrate alongside other animals like zebras and gazelles. This teamwork benefits all the species involved. For example, zebras eat the tougher grasses, leaving behind the softer grass that wildebeest prefer. This cooperation allows them to share the available food resources more effectively.
Migrating with other species also provides added protection. A mixed group of animals can be harder for predators to attack because they have different ways of detecting and escaping danger. This collaboration makes the migration safer for everyone involved.
Conclusion
Wildebeest migrate together as a crucial part of their survival. This yearly journey, involving millions of animals, is a natural process that has developed over time. Moving as a group allows them to adapt to their changing environment and ensures they continue to thrive. Their migration is one of the most remarkable natural events, showcasing the strength and unity of these animals as they navigate the challenges of their environment.