Wildebeest

The drowned wildebeest contribute to the ecosystem on many levels. What is clear to the eye is that the meat feed animals such as vultures, storks, crocodiles, and fish. Their decomposition adds large amounts of organic matter being carbon, phosphorous, and nitrogen. These nutrients benefit the ecosystem. The conclusions that could be made are that this annual wildebeest migration and the resulting carnage are vital to the survival of the ecosytstems in the savanna between Kenya and Tanzania. The wildebeest provides such an astonishing amount of both meat and nutrients that it seems the animals in this area rely on their death. 13 tons of phosphorous, 25 tons of nitrogen, 107 tons of carbon, bones, and 10 blue whales' worth of meat is a contribution that is difficult to replace. The greater implications of these findings are that current as well as past mass migrations have a significant impact on the lives of animals and wildlife in the involved areas.