Wildebeest

Wildebeest, or gnu, are large African antelopes in the genus Connochaetes. There are two living species commonly recognized: the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and the black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou). They belong to the subfamily Alcelaphinae within the family Bovidae.

Blue wildebeest are mainly gray-blue with a pale brownish rump and a shaggy mane; black wildebeest are darker, with a black or brownish coat and a distinctive white throat patch. Both sexes have horns that curve outward and upward.

They are native to the savannas and grasslands of southern and eastern Africa, from Angola and Namibia through Tanzania and Kenya to South Africa. They form large herds and undertake seasonal migrations in pursuit of fresh grass and water, most famously in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

Socially, wildebeest live in herds led by dominant bulls. Calving occurs during the rainy season, and many nursing calves may be present at once. Gestation lasts about 240 days, and most calves are able to stand within minutes of birth.

Diet consists mainly of grasses. They are ruminants and can digest tough grasses efficiently, which supports their migratory lifestyle requiring long-distance grazing.

Predators include lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and crocodiles. They face threats from drought, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict, but together with protected areas their populations are generally stable, particularly for blue wildebeest.

Etymology: “gnu” is a name from the Khoikhoi language; “wildebeest” is Dutch for “wild beast” and is widely used in Africa and in English.