The wildebeest is quite famous for its migration. In East Africa, we have the blue wildebeest. They are referred to as blue because in the sunshine, their glossy skins sparkle a shade of blue. The blue wildebeests are sometimes referred to as the brindled gnu. In southern Africa they have the black wildebeest as well as the blue wildebeest. Unlike the famous blue wildebeests, the black wildebeests do not migrate; instead they tend to occupy particular territories.
The wildebeest is nicknamed gnu (pronounced “g-new” or simply “new”). It is claimed the word gnu originates from the Khoikhoi peoples name for wildebeests, which is t'gnu. Another theory claim the name originates from the San peoples name for black wildebeest, !nu. Others claim the name is an onomatopoeic mimic of the sound they make.
The gnu has a frightening appearance presented by its large head, shaggy mane, pointed beard, and sharp, curved horns. Local myth says that a wildebeest looks the way it does because its front legs originated from an ox, its back legs from an antelope, its tale and mane from a horse. The body of a wildebeest appears disproportionate, with a bulky front, slender hindquarters, and gangling legs. No wonder, it is one of the ‘ugly five’ animals of Africa. The gnu is a heavy build antelope (yes) with disproportionately large forequarters that makes it look more of a cattle.
Wildebeests prefer the dense bush lands, open grasslands and woodland floodplains of the savannas. They are strictly grazers, preferring sweet, stocky grasses. They are picky eaters, they are selective grazers. They only feed on the shorter parts of the grass. Luckily for them, their partners Zebras are bulk grazers who as act as lawn mowers, cropping the grass and making it palatable for the gnus. They begin grazing at dawn, rest briefly at midday, and continue feeding until dusk. When water is available, they drink daily though they can survive for five days without drinking water.
The blue gnus are great walkers, akin to the long distance traders. They are constantly moving throughout day and night, in search of water and preferred grasses. They tend to migrate in lengthy, single-file lines, covering long distances at an easy gallop.
Each year, wildebeest in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem travel in a migratory route of more than 1,500 km. After over half a million calves are born in January and February, the migration begins in the south-eastern part of Serengeti. The gnus traverse across the short-grass plains, approaching Lake Victoria to the west. They then head toward open woodland, and curve north towards Maasai Mara. Lastly, they take a turn to the south back to Serengeti.
During the migration, the gnus are accompanied by zebras. The migrating wildebeests seem to have no matriarch or patriarch leaders. Zebras have a great memory which helps them recall safe migration routes, which come in handy for directing the sometimes seemingly aimless wildebeests. Wildebeests, on the other hand, have a fantastic sense of smell and can detect water even in dry savannahs.
The wildebeests’ mating season, known as rut, is connected to the full moon. Territorial males are constantly prepared to mate. Throughout the mating season, breeding clusters or herds of around 150 wildebeest are formed.
When a bull comes into contact with another wildebeest, they acknowledge one another by moving at a rocking gallop. If they are greeting a cow, the bull will attempt to mount. If the cow is calm, the bull will repeatedly mate with her about two times per minute. If her herd is mobile, a cow may come across several dozen bulls a day. If she is in full heat, a bull will always be close to her side. An aroused bull will try to mount as many cows as possible, and will not sleep or eat for excitement if a female is nearby.
During the mating season, wildebeest are quite a bit more angry and easily irritated -herding, fighting, and calling to each other frequently.
Cows are extremely fertile, conceiving at a quite high rate. Wildebeest are unique in that they calve within the same short span of time, during the month before or start of peak rainy season.
Female wildebeest give birth to one calf in the centre of the herd. Unlike other antelopes, the gnus do not look for isolated places for giving birth. Their birthing sems to be synchoronised and about 80% of the female in a herd calving within a period of two to three weeks. The overabundance of calves allows for more of them to survive predation in the first vulnerable weeks of their lives. Once a calf is delivered, the mother begins to lick it. After six minutes, the yellowish-brown calf is able to stand on its feet and attempts to be nursed. A calf suckles mother for at least four months, though it begins eating grass after about ten days. A calf will stay with its mother, even after it is weaned, until the next year’s newborn arrives. Young females usually remain in the same herds as their mothers, while males are sent away.
