The feeding ecology of wildebeest and zebra in Athi-Kaputei plains

Food habit studies on wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus Burchell) and plains zebra (Equus burchelli Gray), using stomach contents analysis, were carried out between April 1972 and October 1973 in the Athi-Kaputei plains and Nguruman in Kajiado district. Both areas fall within the semi-arid region of Kenya and are grazed by both Masai stock and wildlife.

Wildebeest was highly selective for grass leaves, while zebra took more of the coarse plant materials, viz. sheath and stem. Zebra is more suited to coarse feeding, which enables it to survive the droughts better than wildebeest. The latter is usually hit harder at such times, as it cannot maintain itself on the fibrous materials which can constitute a maintenance diet for zebra.