THE FIRST 15 MINUTES

The miracle of birth. From conception to the eventual life brought into the world. Birth is special, sacred and beautiful.

Follow me as we celebrate the first fifteen minutes of a young wildebeests’ life.

Being gregarious by nature, Blue Wildebeest cows will give birth amongst their peers. The extra layer of protection around the female by the alert eyes and ears of the rest of the herd, will prove invaluable if a predator comes along.
The birthing process itself is over in seconds. The small calf, unable to stand, will lay with folded legs under the mother. She may eat the amniotic sac to replenish some of the lost energy from the birth and the first milk production.

After a short rest period, the new-born calf is gently encouraged to stand. The muscle development of the calf inside the womb is sufficient to allow for this literal first step.

It tries to get up. Instinct dictates that the back must go up first, then the front. The small muscles quiver with exertion. The backside lifts. Tendons in its wobbly knees stretch to accommodate this new movement. The front legs extend.

Unable to keep both sides of its body in equilibrium, the back collapses in a heap. The front follows. The cow, restless yet patient, nuzzles her new-born. Time to try again.

This time gravity and equilibrium work together, and the little calf stands. It is a special moment of triumph for the calf. Its mother, proud as can be, licks its nose, ears, neck. A few wobbly steps further and the calf finds its mothers’ engorged teat.

This, the colostrum, is probably the most important drink of the small calf’s life. The colostrum is full of antibodies to boost the underdeveloped immune system of the new-born calf.

It is also full of protein. This first milk is the perfect low volume, concentrated meal that the little calf needs to start its journey in life.

Feeding, standing and the sights and sounds of nature around it is overwhelming to the calf. It shies away from the attention of a nearby zebra, takes a few more steps and rests. In a few minutes the cow will gently wake its new-born.

It is time to go. Time to explore. Time to run.

Time to live!

BUSHVELD GREETINGS