The Antelope of africa

Wildebeeste blue

Connochaetes taurinus

Three sub-species occur and is probably the most abundant antelope in Africa with millions migrating across the plains of east Africa.

Distribution Three sub-species occur in separate areas across the continent, the black-bearded southern race, the white-bearded eastern race and the isolated population in Zambia.

Social structure Males defend herds of females from other males during the mating season. Outside of the mating season females mingle freely and in east Africa they gather into vast herds during the migration.

Range differentiation Apart from the difference in the colour of the 'beard' the major difference is in their social behaviour where the wildebeeste of east Africa migrate. The southern African race also once migrated but are now area bound due to human interference.

Habitat Open grasslands where water is available.

Feeding They are grazers and feed off the softer parts of the grass i.e. the new leaves. Wildebeeste are often found together with zebra as zebra feed on the coarser parts of the grass.

Breeding Birth is timed for the onset of the rains, after a gestation period of approximately 81/2 months. Young can keep up with the adults within a few minutes of birth - this is an adaptation to their migratory behaviour.

Male Blue Wildebeeste fighting over females

Males are territorial and will protect their females from other males.

Even on the plains of east Africa there are wildebeeste that do not join the migration.

Wildebeeste are dependant on water for their survival.

The only major land migration in Africa today is the wildebeest migration between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya where the animals are constantly on the move except for a brief three week period when the males establish small territories during the rut. Wildebeest in southern Africa, once also part of a huge migration, are now area specific with only local migrations to and from food and water due to the interference of man constructing fences across migration routes.

Impact of man

Veterinary control fences set up to adhere to foreign export laws have played havoc with the wildebeeste herds of Botswana. The laws are to stop wildlife moving into areas of domestic stock to prevent the transferring of diseases.

Until thirty years ago large herds of wildebeest migrated between the central Kalahari region and the Okavango Delta before a fence was erected on the northern boundary of the central Kalahari region. The fence was erected whilst the animals were in the drier south and with the first movement north the animals were caught on the fence. Faced with thirst and starvation hundreds of thousands died. The wildebeest population in Botswana has dropped by 90%. The remaining 10% have adapted to a new non-migratory existence and the numbers are stable.

Symbiotic relations

Zebra and wildebeest are found together on the African savanna grazing different parts of the same grass. The zebra grazes the harder parts of the plant whereas the wildebeest prefers the softer parts. A zebra will move into an area of long grass before other herbivores, hereby eating the grass down to allow for new growth that is suitable for wildebeest.