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• Blue Wildebeest

Name

Blue wildebeest, or common wildebeest or white-bearded wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)

Appearance

The blue wildebeest is identified by its long black mane and beard hanging from the neck and throat. It's dark silver-gray body is marked by dark vertical streaks running down the front quarters.

The horns of adult bulls are heavily bossed, and both cows and bulls grow these short, curved horns. Bulls measure about 1.5m at the shoulders and weigh 250 kg. Naturally, cows are slightly smaller and measure 1.4m at the shoulder, with a mass of about 180 kg.

Blue Wildebeest Breeding

The blue wildebeest breeds seasonally. After a gestation period of nine months, single calves are born during the summer months. Just a few minutes after birth, the calves are able to run with the rest of the herd.

Blue Wildebeest Behaviour

Blue wildebeest herds migrate seasonally. This is an effective survival strategy during both the wet and dry seasons, allowing the consumption of resources over large areas and curtailing over-utilisation.

Blue wildebeests are social animals, living in herds ranging from ten to a few thousand. When the herd is stationary, the bulls maintain and protect the territory.

Where they are found

The blue wildebeest is distributed in large parts of Southern Africa, but is concentrated to the northeastern regions of South Africa. Population numbers are drastically decreased due to fencing, which inhibits the blue wildebeest’s instinctive migration.

Field Notes

There are five known subspecies of blue wildebeest in Africa: Connochaetes taurinus taurinus - blue wildebeest or bridled gnu Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus - eastern white-bearded wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus cooksoni - Cookson’s wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus johnstoni - Nyassaland wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi - western white-bearded wildebeest