The remarkable wildebeest migration is a recurring journey between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya. The wildebeests follow the rainfall, spending the rainy season in the Serengeti (January to April) and the dry season in the Masai Mara acacia woodlands (July to October).
Every year, millions of wildebeest embark on a magnificent 2000 km (1,200 mile) expedition from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya. This is famously known as the Great Migration.
A wildebeest (Photo Credit: envato)
The journey is filled with danger. At every corner, there are crocodiles lurking in the rivers, as well as hungry lionesses and hyenas prowling through the bush. However, the rich African plains are also shared by other animals such as zebras, Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, elands, and impalas, who accompany the wildebeest on their expedition.
Why do the wildebeest endure such hardships, instead of staying in one comfortable and familiar place?
The Spectacular Wildebeest Migration Route
Not all wildebeest migrate, but those that do are the blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus. They travel in a circular path within the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystem. This route has been followed by the animals since the Pleistocene Age.
The wildebeest are following the rains, which provide two essential things—food (mainly vegetation) and water.
The wildebeest and other migrating mammals track the rains to the Serengeti in Tanzania, where they spend January to May, the peak rainy months.
Between January and March, the wildebeest inhabit the southeast of the Serengeti, around Ndutu. It is here that the wildebeest give birth to their young.
All the pregnant females of the herd give birth during this short period of time. This synchronization in their birthing season is crucial for the survival of the young. During the first few months, a young wildebeest calf is vulnerable to predators or being left behind by the herd. By coordinating the birthing period, the wildebeest calves remain protected within a large group. When it’s time to migrate again, the calves are old enough to keep up with their herd.
They share this area with fellow migrators, primarily zebras and Thomson’s gazelles.
The incredible wildebeest migration route (Photo Credit: EreborMountain/Shutterstock)
As the rains decrease and the herd thins across the Serengeti, in April, the wildebeest make their way north to the Acacia woodlands in the Masai Mara in Kenya.
However, in order to reach the lush and nourishing Acacia haven of the Mara, the wildebeest must cross rivers filled with hungry crocodiles. The rush and panic can also lead to stampedes. When something like this occurs, it becomes every wildebeest for itself; even the calves must keep up or they will be left behind.
Nevertheless, once they have crossed the rivers, the Masai Mara becomes their home until December, when the rains return to the Serengeti and the cycle of migration begins once again.
The migration of wildebeest is a fascinating phenomenon that has been extensively studied. However, the reasons behind this arduous journey are still not fully understood. One theory suggests that the wildebeest migrate to the Serengeti because of the abundance and quality of grass available there. Another theory proposes that the migration is a way for the wildebeest to escape predators. Yet another theory suggests that the migration is driven by the need for certain nutrients found in the grasses of the Serengeti. Despite the lack of conclusive answers, the wildebeest continue to migrate year after year, as they have done for millions of years.
The migration of wildebeest is not only a fascinating natural spectacle, but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the Serengeti ecosystem. Wildebeest are considered a keystone species, meaning that their presence has a disproportionately large impact on the ecosystem compared to other species. They help maintain the health of the grass by grazing on it and their trampling aids in pollination. Additionally, their carcasses provide food for a variety of predators, contributing to the overall balance of the ecosystem.
However, the migration of wildebeest is increasingly threatened by human activities such as road construction, agriculture expansion, poaching, and competition for livestock. Efforts are being made by conservationists, ecologists, and policymakers to protect the Serengeti and ensure the survival of this remarkable migration. Despite these challenges, the wildebeest population remains relatively stable, but the number of individuals participating in the migration is decreasing. It is crucial to continue protecting the reserves to preserve one of the greatest migration events on Earth.