subject: The Wildebeest [print this page] The Wildebeest The Wildebeest
This is an antelope of the genus consociates. It is a mammal and has hooves. The white wildebeest and the blue wildebeest are both found in Africa. They live for about thirty years. They weigh 120 to 270 kgs and are about 1.27m to 1.47m in length. They can be fund in the Masaai Mara in Kenya, the Serengeti in Tanzania and Liuwa plains. Wildebeests are herbivores and they are very social animals. They live in herds of thousands.
The annual wildebeest migration has now been declared the eighth world wonder. This takes place in Kenya where the animals cross over the Mara from Serengeti. This is a spectacular event that takes place between the months of June and September. They die in large numbers as some drown and others are captured by crocodiles in the river. It was assumed that they crossed the river in search of pasture alone but recent research and observation has shown that this is not the only reason they migrate.
The wildebeests live as a herd. They protect their young as a group and at night, it has been observed that they take turns to sleep. Some sleep while others stand around guarding the herd. When being attacked, they run together in frenzy with the young and injured in the middle. They are very strong and are known to attack and injure a grown lion. Their main predators are the lion, crocodiles, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. The predators attempt to cut out especially the young and injured from the herd without worrying about the herd.
