The largest overland animal migration on Earth, an annual clockwise circuit of well over a million blue wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem of Tanzania and Kenya in pursuit of seasonal rains and fresh grazing. The migration's most perilous stretch is the crossing of the crocodile-infested Mara and Grumeti rivers, where predation and drowning claim thousands of animals each year, and the cycle repeats without a fixed start or end point as the herds simply follow the rain.
Facts
PeriodicityThe wildebeest migration is an annual circular movement of 800 to 1,610 kilometers (500 to 1,000 miles), beginning right after the calving season at the start of the year. 1 ScaleMore than 1.5 million wildebeest migrate together in the annual Serengeti migration loop. 2 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceWildebeest have a large, box-like head with curving horns, a heavily built front end with slender hindquarters and spindly legs, a gray coat, and a black mane and beard that can be black or white. 1 Sources
1. African Wildlife Foundation: Wildebeest
Migration paragraph, annual cycle
This group makes a migratory circle of 800 to 1,610 kilometers (500 to 1,000 miles) each year, beginning right after the calving season at the start of the year.
Physical description paragraph
They have a large, box-like head with curving horns. The front end of their body is heavily built, while the hindquarters are slender with spindly legs. They have a gray coat and a black mane as well as a beard that can be black or white.
View the Source2. National Geographic Education: Wildebeest Migration
Population figure paragraphQuote, Population figure paragraph
More than 1.5 million wildebeest migrate in an enormous loop every year.
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