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A Wildebeest's First Minutes
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Wildebeest calving is unique to the bovid family. The females produce the majority of their foals within a three week period, which typically falls in Tanzania beginning late January. A short calving season provides a glut of prey for spotted hyenas and other wildebeest predators, ensuring survival for at least four out of five newborns; while large maternity herds of females and yearlings provide the additional cover and protection needed for so many young born at the same time to grow stronger and imprint on their mothers. Birth takes place in the morning too so that newborns have the day to prepare for nightfall which brings predators. Wildebeest babies can stand within three to seven minutes and run off with mother, albeit none too steadily. It's the school of hard knocks from the start: I've seen bulls in the herd flip newborns in the air with their horns. These photos document the first few minutes of a wildebeest's life. Once it rose to its feet, Mother kept it there by gently pushing it around in circles, refusing to allow it milk until it was capable of walking behind her.
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