The Rare and Dazzling Golden Wildebeest of the African Plains

The Rare Golden Wildebeest

The wildebeest, also called the gnu, is an antelope species native to eastern and southern Africa. Wildebeest inhabit the open plains and grasslands of the region, where they graze and travel in large herds. Most wildebeest have a dark brown or black coat, but very rarely, a golden wildebeest is born.

What Causes the Golden Color

The golden coloration of these special wildebeest is caused by a lack of melanin pigment. Just as is the case with albino animals, this deficiency is due to a genetic mutation. While albinism results in a complete lack of pigmentation, causing white hair, skin, and eyes, the golden wildebeest exhibits a partial loss of melanin.

This unusual genetic quirk results in a spectacular honey-brown or golden brown color instead of the typical black or dark brown coat. Golden wildebeest calves may retain some dark coloration in the mane and tale as they mature. The golden sheen makes them stand out vividly from the rest of the herd.

A Rare Sight

Only around one out of every 20,000 wildebeest born possess this unusual golden coloration. Scientists estimate that only approximately 50 such golden wildebeest are living at any given time among the over 1.5 million wildebeest population of the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania and Kenya.

This scarcity makes sightings extremely rare. Those lucky few who manage to spot one of these unusual animals are witnessing a truly once in a lifetime wildlife spectacle.

Life on the Plains

Despite their dazzling coat, golden wildebeest live the same life as the rest of their dark-coated brethren. As herd animals, they gain security from their numbers and migrate together with hundreds of thousands of other wildebeest across the Serengeti and Masai Mara regions.

The Great Migration

They join the larger herds on the famed great wildebeest migration, the largest overland animal migration on the planet. They follow the seasonal rains to ensure plentiful grazing, traveling over 1800 miles annually in a continuous loop.

Their epic journey brings them face to face with hungry Nile crocodiles as they cross the Mara River and into clashes with territorial predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. Through instinct and safety in numbers, they manage to survive the plethora of threats.

Birthing Season

When calving season arrives, female wildebeest break from the herd to give birth to their young. Wildebeest pregnancies last around 8 and a half months, after which the calves can stand almost immediately to follow their mothers.

Sadly, despite the months of nurturing, many calves fall prey to prowling jackals, hyenas, lions, and even vultures shortly after birth. This is a reality golden wildebeest calves face as well.

Those lucky enough to escape become part of nursery groups that travel and graze together for extra protection before eventually rejoining the larger herds.

Threats and Conservation

While the golden coloration does not affect their general behavior or lifestyle, it does impact the animals’ lifespan and wellbeing.

An Obvious Target

Their bright color serves as a beacon for predators in the open savannah, making them far more noticeable. This increases attacks from predators like lions or hyenas that hunt by both sight and by singling out vulnerable stragglers from the safety of the larger herds.

Additionally, without sufficient skin pigmentation, the animals may suffer from problems like skin cancer or sunburn from overexposure. For this reason, golden wildebeests rarely live over 3 years in the wild.

Efforts to Protect the Golden Wildebeest

While the unusual golden wildebeests have yet to be classified as an endangered variation, conservationists do aim to protect these rareanimals and research why they occur.

Photographic safari tours help support wild habitats like the Serengeti, helping fund conservation while offering visitors the chance to witness extraordinary golden wildebeest sightings firsthand.

More studies focused specifically on these remarkable golden coated antelopes may also provide key insights into managing and prolonging their lifespan within their wild environments in harmony with the entire ecosystem.

FAQs

What causes the golden coloration in wildebeest?

The golden color is caused by a partial lack of melanin pigment due to a genetic mutation. It is similar to albinism but allows for golden brown tones rather than completely white fur and skin.

How rare are golden wildebeest sightings?

Only about 50 golden wildebeests exist at any one time out of over 1.5 million wildebeest in the Serengeti ecosystem. That makes sightings extremely rare - as little as one in 20,000 births may produce a golden calf.

Why don't golden wildebeests live as long?

Their bright coloration makes them more visible to predators on the open savannah. They also lack some skin pigment, making them prone to problems like sunburn or skin cancer. Most only live around 3 years.

Are golden wildebeest an endangered species?

No, though their rarity makes conservation important. Photographic safari tours help support wild habitats to see and protect extraordinary golden wildebeest sightings.