Summary:
Hopefully from these pages on wildebeest animal behavior, it has been conveyed that the wildebeest is a highly gregarious animal with a mating only territory. Although a herd of wildebeests out on the plains of the Serengeti may appear chaotic and crazy, a social organization does exist, which groups wildebeests into solitary males, male groups (bachelor herds), and female groups. In regards to mating, wildebeests exhibit lek promiscuity. These aspects of their behavior arise from a number of factors, which include: (a) the large number of wildebeests in each herd, (b) their scattered distribution throughout the plains, (c) there feeding pattern (grazing), which provides an over-abundant source of nutrition, (d) the large numbers of females that aggregate together, (e) high levels of predation on the young by hyenas, (f) their need for water amidst an arid and ever changing environment. The factors that govern and shape wildebeest life are numerous and intertwined. As a result, the wildebeest lives a harsh life on the plains. Nevertheless, the wildebeest has managed to adapt to its surroundings and the population numbers evidence its ability to survive and conquer.
Learning a Lesson from History
Although wildebeests do exhibit extraordinary numbers, recently, these populations have been declining. Many years ago, a drastic reduction in wildebeest population numbers occurred, and much can be learned from this situation. In the mid to late 1800s, the white-tailed gnu (Connochaetes gnou) population declined dramatically in South Africa (Street, 1963). During this period of time, Dutch farmers came to South Africa, and along with these farmers came many laborers. While the white-tailed gnu was not considered to be appetizing meat, it was plentiful. Hence, the gnus were slaughtered indiscriminately in order to keep the workers from starvation. Although there were, indeed, many gnus in South Africa at this time, sufficient exploitation put their numbers in extreme danger. By the end of the nineteenth century, the white-tailed gnu, which was once the most numerous animal on the South African plains, became the rarest of them all (Street, 1963).
Farmers eventually realized the danger that faced the white-tailed gnu population. They began to herd them in a state of semi-captivity (Street, 1963). By 1899, farmers had gathered about 500 gnus. Although 500 animals of another species would have been enough to rebuild the population, the wildebeest population still struggled. Because the white-tailed gnu is a socially gregarious animal, a certain number of individuals is needed in a population before an optimum breeding rate can be achieved. Also, gnus seem temperamental towards herd building through aggression. Bulls are extremely aggressive towards newcomers to the population, and thus these males are likely to kill females added to the group in the hopes of increased reproduction in the population. Furthermore, if the females do not like a male added to the group, the females may gather together in order to attack the male. Hence, building the white-tailed gnu population has been extremely difficult since their population decline in the mid 1800s. Eventually, however, numbers began to grow and by the 1960s, the world population of white-tailed gnus doubled since 1899 (Street, 1963). Unfortunately, the white tailed gnu population will never be what it once was.
Today, as evidenced by their large population numbers, wildebeest are plentiful and incredibly well-suited to their unique environment and migratory patterns. Unfortunately, several factors have recently led to further declines in the wildebeest's magnificent numbers. As African countries continue to develop, the amount of land available for wildebeest migration is diminishing. And as the land disappears, the ability of the wildebeest to survive is also declining. Researchers such as Jonathan Scott, believe that efforts at conservation can be successful (Scott, 1988), and perhaps areas like the Serengeti and Mara can survive if we want them to.
In areas such as The Etosha National Park, however, the wildebeest population continues to decrease, and man's activities are most responsible for this decline. Because Etosha (like many other national parks in Africa) was fenced, the migration patterns of the wildebeest have been disturbed. Also, activities such as hunting and competition with growing populations of man and his domestic stock have contributed to the decline of the wildebeest (Berry, 1982).
What will become of the biodiversity found on the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti? Will numbers of wildebeests as well as other animals slip into oblivion? Will our children ever be able to witness the beauty of these animals? Although I see understand the danger that faces the wildebeest population, I have viewed these plains, and I believe that there is still enough out there and that there is still enough time to take action. As Jonathan Scott writes, "Are we really prepared once again to bear silent witness to the loss of something as grand as the great migration? (Scott, 1988)" I believe that we are ready to take on the challenge and preserve the beauty of the wildebeest and its neighbors on the Serengeti.
Unfortunately, relatively few academic sources are currently available on the world wide web about wildebeest behavior. Sites that are posted appear to have only very general information. Please see the references pages for more excellent printed sources on the wildebeest. Hopefully, in time more excellent information (such as that presented in these pages) will be available on-line regarding wildebeest behavior. Currently, however, sites with conservation information regarding the wildebeest are available and interesting to read. Please take the time to browse the following links. Click Here for Links.
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