1. Food Availability:
- Wildebeests are grazers, and their diet primarily consists of short, green grass.
- The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem undergoes seasonal changes, with wet and dry periods.
- During the wet season (November to May), the southern part of the Serengeti receives abundant rainfall, resulting in lush vegetation growth.
- The wildebeests move south during this time to take advantage of the abundant grazing in the southern Serengeti.
2. Rainfall Patterns:
- Wildebeests follow a constant water source, which is essential for their survival.
- As the dry season approaches (June to October), the southern plains become drier, and water sources begin to recede.
- In response to this change, the wildebeest herds move north, towards the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, where the rains usually begin earlier and sustain grazing conditions.
3. Predation and Safety:
- Wildebeests are social animals and move in large herds for safety.
- By concentrating in vast numbers, wildebeests reduce their individual risk of predation.
- The migration allows them to stay ahead of predators that might target smaller, more vulnerable groups.
4. Herding Behavior:
- Wildebeest movements are guided by a shared, instinctive herding behavior.
- The initial migration is triggered by a few influential individuals, and others follow suit, perpetuating the movement.
- Once the migration begins, it becomes a self-sustaining cycle, with new leaders emerging and guiding the herds along established routes.
It's important to note that the exact timing and routes of the wildebeest migration can vary from year to year, depending on the specific rainfall patterns and environmental conditions in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.