The enormous herds of migrating wildebeest are an important source of food for the predators and scavengers of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, providing millions of pounds of meat annually. However, because they migrate, predation only accounts for a small percentage of the mortality of nomadic wildebeest. While it is [L3 101 / not a limiting factor] in the size of the population, predation is important in maintaining the integrity of the herd.
The [P 006 / lion] and hyena account for the great majority of wildebeest kills; but the [V 002 / cheetah], [L3 102 / crocodile], leopard and wild dog prey on the wildebeest as well. Competition between predators is reduced by availability of prey and [L3 103 / predator preference].
Since most lions and virtually all [P 007 / leopards] live in the woodlands, wildebeest are only available to them about one third of the year. During this time, they make up over half of the lion's diet. Nomadic or non-territorial lions follow the movements of the herds, but their numbers are comparatively small.
The semi-nomadic cheetah, hyena and wild dog are largely found on the short grass plains, but they follow the herds part of the year. The cheetah preys on newborns and young calves while the wildebeest are on the plains; however, its primary prey is the [P 020 / Thomson's gazelle]. When the wildebeest leave the plains, the hyena follows; the cheetah stays with the gazelle herds, lessening the competition between these two predators.
The [I 006 / hyena] preys heavily on the wildebeest during the wet season. When the wildebeest begin to migrate from the plains in the early dry season, the hyena moves its den to the edge of the woodlands and commutes to migrating herds. Hyenas and wild dogs directly compete on the plains, possibly contributing to suppression of the wild dog population.
In the interest of conserving energy, most of these large animal predators will scavenge either [G 07 / carrion] or another predator's kill whenever possible. Smaller predators such as the [I 008 / jackal], also kill newborn wildebeest and eat carrion. Although vultures eat what is left of predator kill, the majority of their diet comes from animals that die as a result of accidents, disease and malnutrition.
