Streifengnu

Herds of Blue Wildebeest are the staple food for many creatures, from lions and crocodiles to hunters-gatherers and more ‘civilized’ humans as well, being the classic quarry of “plains game” hunting. The skin is the source for high-quality leather, and the tail of the black wildebeest, long and flowing, is used for traditional fly-whisks. It’s not hunting, however, that is the biggest threat for the species, but human encroachment. Fences across migration routes spell big problems, and habitat fragmentation works against big herds (it’s been proven that calf survival rates in Wildebeest are positively correlated to the size of the herd). Hunting concessions play an important part in conservation of the species, both by protecting habitat and by keeping a reserve stock on game ranches. But the biggest allure of Blue Wildebeest hunting is the opportunity to see these pictures from TV and magazines come alive before your own eyes!