Common Wildebeest

Species: Common Wildebeest
Habitat: Plains and Dry Woodlands of Southern and Eastern Africa
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Kilimanjaro Safari/Animal Kingdom Lodge

The common wildebeest is one of two species of wildebeest, with the other being the black wildebeest. Other names for the common variety include the gnu, the white bearded wildebeest and the blue wildebeest, the last of which stems from the slightly blue sheen of their short hairs. The animal has a muscular, front heavy appearance with a very pronounced muzzle and large horns. The legs, however, are thin for its body size.

The wildebeest is well known for its herds. There are large numbers of these animals in Africa, with over one million in the Serengeti alone. Very few people have not seen the herds traveling in vast numbers across the African plains in documentaries. Many predators such as lions and hyenas travel with the herds for food, while other species of antelope will mingle with the herd as a form of protection. Plain zebras are often found with wildebeest. The zebras tends to eat the heavy vegetation leaving the newer short grass for the gnu. In some parts of their range, the herds are significantly smaller numbering only a 30 or so animals as opposed to the thousands in the other parts of their range.

The massive herds are migratory in nature, moving from place to place after the rainy season has ended to go after wetter grasses. They will sometimes have to cross large, fast moving rivers. The herd will congregate at the edge of the river almost afraid to go in. And for good reason, not only is the river fast and treacherous but is often full of hungry Nile crocodiles. Eventually, one animal takes the plunge, and the rest soon follow. The weak and old often do not make it becoming crocodile food.

Males will become territorial and attempt to control a number of females for reproduction. Most of the mating occurs during the rainy season when things are "good." When young are born, they are ready to move. Most wildebeest calves are able to run within seven minutes of birth, which is necessary considering the amount of predators ready to take advantage of the weak. Young will stay close to their mothers for some time for protection. Interestingly, it appears in larger herds the survival rate of young is much higher.