Greetings friends and welcome to the first Monday in the month of March. Basketball tournaments aren’t the only sign of the 3rd month of the year. This month begins the countdown to our opening weekend which is only about 8 weeks away. That’s a very short period of time in animal years LOL. One thing that won’t be short is your trip to Timbavati Wildlife Park where you can see really cool animals like our Wildebeests.
This native of Africa can be found in the southern half of Africa. It is also referred to as a gnu. The wildebeest is one of the largest antelopes, from head to tail it can be 8 feet and weigh up to 600 pounds. There are two species of wildebeests, the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest. The blue can weigh up to 595 pounds while the black can weigh up to 340 pounds.
A Wildebeest Family Affair
Wildebeests live in herds comprised of males females and young. During migrations large herds comprised of all kinds of antelope all move together for safety and well because they’re all following the fresh water sources and grazing pastures. Males attract females by rubbing their scent into the ground. The gestation period for a female is 8.5 months and she will give birth to a single calf. The calf can walk at birth and is ready to run with the rest of the herd a few days after birth.
During the African migration that occurs at the end of the rainy season about 1.2 million wildebeests join zebras and gazelles as they all travel to the savannas where there is plenty of food and water.
The gestation period of the wildebeest is 8 and a half months. At the start of the rainy season which is February and March, female wildebeests give birth to baby calves. Calves weigh 44 to 49 pounds at birth. Calves learn to walk within minutes and the join the herd within a few days.
Timbavati Wildlife Park is home to all manners of creatures both large and majestically diminutive. We're open for tours daily during our winter season at 11am and 1pm. Stop on into our gift shop to take the tour today. Talk with you all next week.
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