WORLD'S LARGEST MIGRATION

Wilderbeest and Zebra Relationship

    The world’s largest—and I must add the most fantastic—migration takes place over Africa’s Serengeti--Masai Mara ecosystem. The 18,640 square mile geographical area includes three well known wildlife sanctuaries: Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara National Reserve and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

     Wildebeest with horns, black manes, and stiff tails are funny looking animals. A muscular hump above their forelimbs give them a front--heavy appearance. They sometimes run sideways and are considered by some as pretty dumb animals.

     In the late 19^th century a viral epidemic wiped out 90% of the population. An inoculation program saved the remaining 250,000 animals and the dwindling population gradually rebuilt to 1.5 million animals. Believe it or not, no two zebras look alike. Their bold stripes are different enough to create a distinct zebra ‘finger print’.

     These two animals, both grazers, have an interesting symbiotic relationship. They co-exist eating different parts of the grasses. In addition zebra eyesight is much better than that of the wildebeest, plus the zebra are much quicker to recognize danger. Young wildebeest quickly learn the zebra high pitched aha aha is a sign of alarm. Wildebeest defend their territory with aggressive physical actions. They make a distinctive grunting sound and you may hear them before you see them. As thousands of animals run by, maybe in front of or behind vehicles, you can feel the ground move. What an incredible site to witness!

    The migration of 1.8 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra is an awesome sight to witness. The animals will travel 1800 miles searching for grass and water. The time of this spectacle is dependent on rainfall so one could say Mother Nature is in charge here. Trying to time a visit, like the polar bear window, can be tricky and sometimes just happens to be plain luck. Interestingly the migratory pattern is always clockwise and circular. Masai people call the area seregit meaning endless plains. The vast Serengeti ecosystem includes rich terrain, forest, swamps, grasslands, woodlands providing diverse habitats. The continent’s hot dry climate does not provide a consistent supply of grazing land which cease when rains end. The herd’s need for food and water literally create the migration which extends over months.

       The migration is a strenuous event for the animals and various conditions including 

hunger, thirst, exhaustion and drowning account for a couple hundred thousand not 

completing the   migration. The primary victims include the sick, lame, old and young. 

During mating season the male aims to to breed with as many cows as possible. Timing of 

the birthing   process  iscritical part of the migration.

 

    These animals know when to have their young. Strangely enough both wildebeest and 

 zebra moms can delay up to a month the birth of their young until weather conditions are 

more favorable. Between February and early March, during a 2-3 week window, 500,000 

calves are born. Both animals are born to run; the wildebeest are on their feet and ready to 

go in seven minutes! The zebra takes a bit longer, but in an hour she is beside mom. 

Babies imprint on mom at the first suckling and mom will feed no one but her own baby. No 


surrogates in this crowd.

 
     

   As rain moves north so does the herd. There are two river crossings necessary during 


the journey. Drowning in the strong currents are real hazards for the young and old.

 

 
     The migration is not a long run from point A to point B. The migration route is broken up 


over months as the animals chase the rain and new grazing grounds. They hang out at 


various places at more or less predictable times and periods. Count yourself lucky if you 


are fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to witness this spectacular event!