Connochaetes taurinus taurinus

(Burchell, 1823)

Vernacular names

English : Blue wildebeest
French : Gnou bleu

Classification

Class : Mammalia
Order : Cetartiodactyla
Family : Bovidae
Notes : 4 other subspecies known.

Identification

The species can reach 250 cm in body length for a shoulder length of 150 cm and a weight of 295 kg. Long head profile with black face. Erect black mane on back, black chin tuft. Coloration bluish-grey with black vertical stripes on flanks.

Range and habitat

The subspecies occurs in southern Africa, from south-west Angola to Zimbabwe and Mozambique, south to north and north-east South Africa. Species found from south Angola and south Kenya to South Africa. Lives in savannas, seasonally flooded grasslands, wooded bushlands.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : This species remains common in its range but suffers from competition with domestic cattle and from habitat degradation.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America