A herd of wildebeests loitering on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
While their cousins are famous for the Great Migration circuit, the wildebeests of the Ngorongoro Crater have a different strategy: they never leave.
A Resident Population
Unlike the massive herds that trek between Tanzania and Kenya, the crater is home to a resident population of roughly 7,000 to 10,000 wildebeests. Because the crater floor offers permanent water sources and lush, nutrient-rich volcanic soil year-round, these Gnus have no reason to risk the treacherous journey across crocodile-infested rivers.
Life in a “Fishbowl”
Living inside the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera is like living in a natural amphitheater. The 2,000-foot-high walls create a self-contained ecosystem where survival is a daily drama.
The “Gnu” Chorus: The distinctive low grunting or "Gnu-ing" of thousands of wildebeests is the constant soundtrack of the crater floor.
Dense Predator Presence: Because the prey stays put, so do the predators. The crater has one of the highest densities of lions and spotted hyenas in Africa, meaning the wildebeests are always under a watchful eye.
The "Overspill" Guest Stars
While the crater has its own permanent residents, it does get visitors. During the calving season (January to March), hundreds of thousands of migratory wildebeests mass on the nearby Ndutu plains just outside the crater to give birth. Occasionally, some of these migratory herds "overspill" into the crater itself, briefly swelling the local population before heading north again.
Nature’s Landscapers
Wildebeests are essential to the crater’s health. By grazing the tall grass down, they make the landscape suitable for other species like zebras and gazelles. Their movement also helps circulate nutrients back into the soil, keeping the “Garden of Eden” green and vibrant.