A Baby Wildebeest's First Steps
In A Baby Wildebeest's First Steps, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a wildebeest is born on the savanna, which stretches across almost half of Africa and is home to millions of animals. The baby wildebeest immediately begins learning to walk. By the end of the day, it is one of the fastest land animals. The wildebeest uses speed, constant movement, and safety in numbers to avoid predators. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
Lesson Express
Q: How would you describe the savanna habitat?
A: Low, grassy plains with few trees. Home to many millions of animals — elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, rhinos, lions, wildebeest, etc. It covers almost half of Africa. The weather constantly changes, from long periods of very dry weather to downpouring rain. It has more large predators than anywhere else in the world.
Q: How does the baby wildebeest protect itself after it's born?
A: It begins learning to walk immediately and is always on the move. It can run at 50 mph.
Q: How is there safety in numbers for the wildebeest?
A: There are so many calves born each day, a calf would be very unlikely to be the one targeted by a predator.
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In The African Elephant Marches Towards Water, narrator Sir David Attenborough investigates how African elephants use their memories to find waterholes. The elephants gather in groups and travel during the night, when temperatures are cooler. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
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In The Wet Season Comes to the Savanna, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores what happens when the dry season comes to an end across the African savanna and the herds return to the plains. When submerged by seasonal floods, the grass of the African savanna can still grow. Watch as a young baboon climbs on top of an adult to avoid the water. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
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