:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
Birth wave
"Almost all calves are born in a three-week period. Those newborn calves are easy prey for predators. Fortunately, predators can only eat a limited amount of meat per day. This leaves more calves than if they were born scattered throughout the year."
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
African savannah
Diet:
grass
Lifespan:
20 years old
Weight:
260 to 290 pounds
Number of young:
1 young
Gestation period:
8 to 8.5 months
To see:
along walking safari, bus safari and car safari
IUCN status:
safe
EEP:
no
About the blue wildebeest
The blue wildebeest lives on the vast savannas of Africa and is a true grazer. With its wide mouth, it eats mostly short grass, but if there is none, it also nibbles on leaves. Wildebeest prefer to graze during the day, but with sufficient moonlight they are also active at night. In the wild, you often see them together with zebras. Zebras eat the top of the grass, after which the wildebeest eat the juicy bottom layer. Blue wildebeest weigh between 260 and 290 pounds and can live up to 20 years. They usually give birth to one young at a time, after a gestation period of about eight to eight and a half months.
Habitat and threats
The blue wildebeest lives on the African savannah, primarily in countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and South Africa. These open grasslands offer everything the wildebeest needs: space to graze, water sources and plenty of visibility to spot predators such as lions and hyenas in a timely manner. The wildebeest migrate across the savannah in large groups, often in impressive migrations in search of fresh grass and water.
Although the species is not currently considered endangered, blue wildebeest habitat is increasingly fragmented by agriculture, cattle ranching and the construction of roads and fences. This complicates their migration, which affects their chances of survival. Drought, caused by climate change, is also a growing threat as it further strains food and water availability. Fortunately, many areas where the wildebeest live are now protected as nature reserves or national parks.
:quality(75))
Species conservation in the wild
Fortunately, the status of the blue wildebeest is safe. But, unfortunately, many of the species you see in the Safari Park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species are threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Do you want to know how?
More info about Stichting Wildlife