Wildebeest

Wildebeest

The wildebeest (plural, wildebeest or wildebeests), also called the gnu (pronounced /ˈnuː/ or /ˈnjuː/), is an antelope of the genus Connochaetes. It is a hooved (ungulate) mammal. It looks like a mixture of features between a cow and a horse.

Connochaetes includes two species, both native to Africa: the Black Wildebeest, or white-tailed gnu (C. gnou), and the Blue Wildebeest, or brindled gnu (C. taurinus). Gnus belong to the family Bovidae, which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, and other even-toed horned ungulates.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Black wildebeest are dark brown to black in color, males being darker in color than females. Both sexes become lighter in coat color in the summer, and develop shaggier coats in the winter. Like blue wildebeest, the black wildebeest possesses a bushy beard and mane. However, the black wildebeest has a mane that stands up from its neck, rather than draping across the neck, like that of the blue wildebeest. This bristly mane is cream to white in color and black at the tips. The beard is black in color and stretches only along the lower jaw, not the length of the neck, as in the blue wildebeest. Additionally, black wildebeest have an area of longer, dark hair between the forelegs, covering the chest, and another patch of bristly black hair along the bridge of the nose. Male black wildebeest stand 111 to 121 cm high and can be up to 2m in length, females are slightly smaller. Paired horns curve down, forward, and then up, like hooks, and are up to 78 cm in length (slightly thinner and shorter in females). The base of the horns is widened and flattened to form a protective shield.

Blue wildebeest are large African bovids with robust muzzles and cow-like horns. The horns are long without ridges and the males’ horns are thicker with the appearance of a boss. Blue Wildebeests have short hair covering their bodies, and their color ranges from slate gray to dark brown, with males darker than females. There are black vertical stripes of longer hair on their backs. Wildebeests also have black faces, manes, and tails. The different subspecies of wildebeest vary in color.

STATUS

Naturally found only in the region of South Africa, it wasn’t long ago that Black Wildebeest teetered on the edge of extinction. Careful management by concerned hunters and game managers have built the Black Wildebeest population back to huntable numbers.

Blue Wildebeest are widely distributed throughout Africa and numbers are still strong.

WEAPONS USED

Wildebeest of both species are tough to kill. The Blue Wildebeest is known as “The Poor Man’s Buffalo.” Tough, well constructed bullets should be used from a .30 caliber rifle and a .375 H & H Magnum is not too much gun. Shots are usually at short to medium range, but because they’re found in a wide variety of habitat, quality optics are a must.

For archery hunters, heavy arrows, higher draw weights and good, cut on contact broadheads are a must. Thick hide and heavy bone structure make these animals tougher to bring down than most African Plains Game.