A lifetime on the roadAfrica



all the elephants, giraffes and lions, the wildebeest is somewhat forgotten.These animals could be said to be nomads. They never last long in one pasture. It was their perpetual wandering that caught the attention (in the 1960s) of the German zoologist Bernard Grzimek and his son Michael. They decided to find out the details.

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– Following the wildebeest herds by land would probably be impossible.
– So they chose a plane.

When they saw the herds from a bird\’s eye view, they couldn\’t help but wonder. They counted several hundred thousand wildebeest grazing peacefully on the grasslands. If they went up into the clouds today, their astonishment would be even greater. Today, as many as a million, plus seven hundred thousand wildebeest live in the same area.

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The wildebeest have a way with timing

The number of wildebeest varies throughout the year. Scientists used to believe that their sudden decline was caused by predators simply eating the herds. That\’s not true. Their numbers are mainly regulated by disease and food abundance. Of course, wildebeest are also prey for some carnivores. But only young, weak or sick individuals are usually used as food. From this point of view, such selection is beneficial for herds.

– The wildebeest do not stay in one territory, but are always on the move.
– Only at mating time do they stop for a while.
– Then the caravan starts its journey again.

Such timing has its great advantages. The females start giving birth around the same time. Pregnant females concentrate in small groups. The first to give birth sets off a chain reaction. Each female has the ability to hold off giving birth for up to a fortnight. That\’s if she doesn\’t feel safe. But even when safe, females don\’t rush to give birth. They know that the more babies around, the better chance of survival for her own. Just don\’t let the little wildebeest get lost to its mother. That would condemn the calf to death. There are no adoptions here.

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