The Life of Animals | Wildebeest | Zebras and wildebeest group together in the open savannah environments there is a high chance of predation. Wildebeest can also listen in on the alarm calls of other species, and by doing so can Their Reduced risk of predation. One study showed That along with other ungulates, wildebeests responded more strongly to the baboon alarm calls compared to the baboon contest calls even though Both types of calls Had similar patterns, amplitudes, and durations.
The wildebeest season and is Called During this time the males Establish temporary territories and try to attract females. These small territories are about 3000 square meters, with up to 300 territories in a square kilometer. The males entice females into Their territories with grunts and distinctive antics. Wildebeest usually breed at the end of the rainy season the animals are most fit. Wildebeest females spontaneously ovulate and breed seasonally. Groups of wildebeest females and young live in the small areas established by the male. When groups of wildebeest join together, there is a larger female to male ratio as the females flock to the areas held by Fewer males.
Higher male mortality has been attributed to illegal hunting.Due to Their confinement in small areas in South Africa, the two species of wildebeest, the black wildebeest and the blue wildebeest have interbred, resulting in fertile hybrid young. The most acute threat comes from migration barriers, Such as fences and roads. In one of the more striking examples of the Consequences of fence-building on terrestrial Migrations, Botswanan authorities placed Thousands of kilometers of fences across the Kalahari That prevented from Reaching wildebeests grazing grounds and watering holes, resulting in the Deaths of TENS of Thousands of individuals , and dropping the wildebeest population to less than ten percent of its previous size.
In Addition to roads and fences, illegal hunting is a major conservation concern in many areas. Other Ecosystems are experiencing similar pressures, Such as the Tarangire Ecosystem in Tanzania Historically the which supported large numbers of migratory wildebeest (as well as other species), but has recently Declined in number, coincident with illegal hunting and land-use changes across the rainy season ranges. Although the majority of wildebeest Populations migrate, some do not migrate and Populations Appear to never have done so in recorded history. Such Populations can be found in the Ngorongoro Crater, the Masai Mara, Lake Manyara National Park, Selous Game Reserve, and Hwange National Parks and Esotha.
