Not putting in mind about what we have learned about lions in the previous posts, what comes into your mind when you hear the word “wildebeest”? Well, apart from being connected to lions, probably, there is not much that you can say aside from that they are 1) horned, and 2) big animals. But did you know that wildebeests were used as a cartoon character, too?

However, contrary to what role they portray in the wildlife, wildebeests were used as super villain cartoon characters in comics such as Teen Titans and Danger. Probably this is due to the fact that they are dark-colored and huge, and that big horn on top of their heads actually makes them a bit scary. 

But despite of this, there is actually something great to find in the wildebeest population in general. Have you ever heard about the Great Wildebeest Migration? It is a yearly phenomenon that involves estimating 1.5 million wildebeests, and 350,000 Thomson’s gazelles, 200,000 zebras, 12,000 eland, and other ungulates (hoofed animal) in search of grass and water. These animals together with the wildebeests take a 180-degree clockwise turn year after year.

It is also in this event that you will be able to witness a fierce and yet spectacular hunting game, where lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and even crocodiles wait on these herbivores and feed on them at the peak of their migration. This epic true-story happening has been included to the Seven New Wonders of the World by the ABC Poll because of its beauty.

Just because they are considered as preys by the carnivores, it does not mean there is nothing quite interesting about these strong wildebeests. Are you ready to have themselves introduced? Keep on reading. 

1. Have trouble spelling wildebeest? You can also call it ‘gnu’. ‘Gnu’ is an onomatopoeia for the grunting sound that they make.
2. Pronounce ‘gnu’ as “g-new” or simply, “new”.
3. The wildebeest is an ungulated mammal; a hooved animal like the horse, zebra, and camel.
4. These animals need to drink water every other day, this dictates their need to live in areas that has plenty of it.
5. You may have mistaken them as related to the bovine family because of their built, but in fact, they are antelopes. Also, they are totally herbivores.
6. Ever wondered why wildebeest is spelled that way? You can blame the Dutch for that. The literal meaning of it is “wild beast” or “wild cattle”. This is not something strange, for about 90-95% of Afrikaan vocabulary are Dutch in origin.
7. Gnus can live up to 40 years! But usually, their average lifespan is 20 years.
8. They are the most abundant big-game animals in East Africa – both in body mass and in number. Wildebeests have this synchronized birthing that happens eight and a half month after their mating season. Around 400,000 gnus are born over a three-week period. It means that their birthdays could possibly fall in the same month!
9. Color talk: you can find two kinds of wildebeests in the wild – either a blue one or a black one. Blue wildebeests are taller and heavier than the black gnus. Another difference that they have is on their horns. The horns of the blue gnus protrude to the side, while the black gnus have their horns curved forward.
10. There lies also a difference in the breastmilk of the two wildebeests! Female black wildebeest’s breast milk is higher in protein, and lower in fat and lactose content than that of the female blue wildebeest’s.
11. A young gnu can walk alongside with their mothers two to three minutes after they are born. They can keep up with the herd after a week!
12. Wildebeests are migratory mammals – and this results in their not having any territories. However, during their mating season called ‘rut’, male wildebeests establish a temporary territory for them to attract female gnus.
13. Zebras and wildebeests are grouped together to increase their chance of surviving from predators. The greater their number is, the more difficult it is for them to be extinguished fully.
14. Scientists say that the Wildebeest Migration is only a recent phenomenon – having started only in the 1960’s. The best months to book flights to see the great wildebeest migration herds are during the birthing from January to March and from July to October.
15. The seasons have a lot of influence on the migration of wildebeests and other ungulates. These seasons are the ‘short dry season’ that begins and December and ends between late Feburary to early March, the ‘long rains’ that lasts for six weeks from the end of March through early beginning of April into May, the ‘long dry season’ is from June through September, and the ‘short rains’ that begins in October and ends in November.
16. It is said that there are estimated 250,000 wildebeests die during the Great Migration.
17. East African author and photographer John Scott notes that wildebeests are the migration already in it. They are for life (and in cycle) in search for food and water. Their births are just the beginning, and their deaths being the end.
18. Where exactly migration would start is still unanswered. Like on the previous point, the travel of the ungulates from Serengeti to Massai Mara is a lifelong pilgrimage. It is only over when the animal dies.
19. A baby wildebeest, as young as it is, can actually outrun a lioness.
20. A behaviorist, and ecologist, the co-author of The Great Migration Harvey Croze explains the possible reasons why wildebeests seem to instinctively do this cycle of migration. It is either this action of theirs is dictated by the weather – that is, they follow the new growth of grass and rains – or these gnus have been a product of natural selection. Those who have followed the ‘wrong way’ have gone extinct, while those who have followed the “right way” – this migration from Tanzania to Kenya – are the species we have now.
21. Young gnus may appear strong enough, but many of them die at less than one year of age. Some of them acquire diseases, are malnourished, while others die out of fatigue. It is good to know that only 1% of them die out of predation at this point in their life.
22. Herds panic frequently! This results to young wildebeests being separated from their mothers. It is very rare that (and would be lucky) if one finds his mum, but a baby wildebeest will never be adopted by another strange mother gnu even if she has lost her young herself and also lactating at that time.
23. The synchronized birthing of pregnant wildebeests happening between the months of January to February in their cycle of migration. It may seem that this is the best time for the predators to consume veals, but to tell the truth, baby gnus born in this period are more likely to survive from than those who will be born outside of this peak.
24. During the rut, females have the shot. Duels are frequent in mating season, but these are settled when female gnus decide to choose who is going to be her mate.
25. Most action in the rut could be seen during the full moon – its greatest influence. This peak state will most likely be seen in the days between May through June.
26. If you are thinking gnus are kept safe during migration, let me offer this fast fact. Lots of predators will follow these herds, mainly lion and hyenas, while the vultures are flying over the parade.
27. Zebras and wildebeests have been grouped purposely, for when eating, zebras would love to have the long stems of grass which wildebeests readily refuse.
28. The wildebeests’ characteristic of being on the move all the time is proven to be of advantage. For most predators are territorial; they can never follow herds of gnus very far.
29. Male wildebeests are called as the ‘clowns of the plains’ because they would go an extra distance to be chosen by their prospect female mate and to deter other males.
30. The bodies of gnus have been made to energy-efficient, perhaps, also the same reason why they can keep up with mass movements around Africa.

Geraldine Mills writes travel articles and guidelines for tourists planning for a unique Tanzania safari. She is also a Community Outreach Coordinator for www.flyfirst.co.za. Follow her on Twitter @geraldinewalks.