wildebeest

The brindled wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus. The animal is one of the larger members of the antelope family.

The gnu (or wildebeest) lives mainly on the African grassland plains.

Either of two species of African antelope, with a cowlike face, a beard and mane, and heavy curved horns in both sexes. The body is up to 1.3 m/4.2 ft high at the shoulder and slopes away to the hindquarters. (Genus Connochaetes.)

The brindled wildebeest C. taurinus is silver-grey with a dark face, mane, and tail tuft, and is found from Kenya southwards. Vast herds move together on migration. The white-tailed wildebeest C. gnou of South Africa almost became extinct, but was saved by breeding on farms.