Distribution and habitat Blue wildebeest

blue wildebeest inhabits places water available

the blue wildebeest native kenya, tanzania, botswana, zambia, zimbabwe, mozambique, south africa, swaziland , angola. today extinct in malawi, has been reintroduced namibia.

blue wildebeest found in short grass plains bordering bush-covered acacia savannas in southern , eastern africa, thriving in areas neither wet nor arid. can found in habitats vary overgrazed areas dense bush open woodland floodplains. trees such brachystegia , combretum common in these areas. blue wildebeest can tolerate arid regions long potable water supply available, within 15–25 km (9.3–15.5 mi) distance. southern limit of blue wildebeest stops @ orange river, while western limit bounded lake victoria , mt kenya. range not include montane or temperate grasslands. these wildebeest found @ altitudes in excess of 1,800–2,100 m (5,900–6,900 ft). exception of small population of cookson s wildebeest occurs in luangwa valley (zambia), wildebeest absent in wetter parts of southern savanna country, , particularly not present in miombo woodlands.

three african populations of blue wildebeest take part in long-distance migration, timed coincide annual pattern of rainfall , grass growth on volcanic soil short-grass plains can find nutrient-rich forage necessary lactation , calf growth. timing of migration in both directions can vary considerably year year. @ end of rainy season, migrate dry-season areas in response lack of drinking water. when rainy season begins again few months later, animals trek wet-season range. these movements , access nutrient rich forage reproduction allow migratory wildebeest populations grow larger numbers resident populations. there many long-distance migratory populations of wildebeest 100 years ago, 3 migrations (serengeti, tarangire, , kafue) have been disrupted, cut off, , lost.