Demise of the Kalahari’s Great Herds

Kalahari herds’ movements, wildebeest population compared with Serengeti’s. Decline of numbers 1960–1990. Deaths due to drought in 1980s. Movement patterns blocked by fences. Movements opportunistic and not set migrations. Comparison with Serengeti. 1930s mass die-off reported. Veterinary cordon fences exacerbate deaths after mid twentieth century. 1941 reports. Destruction of wildebeest and other species for meat and skins. Springbok and its irruptions. Other species declines. A fragile resource threatened by recurrent drought. The tragedy continues.