Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Connochaetes
Species: Connochaetes gnou (Black Wildebeest)
15–20 years (in the wild)
120–150 kg (265–330 lbs)
120–140 cm (47–55 inches) at the shoulder
Activity: Primarily diurnal (active during the day), with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon. Black Wildebeest cows tend to be more active in the cooler parts of the day, while resting during the heat of midday.
Feeding Habits: Herbivores – primarily graze on grasses, but will also feed on shrubs and herbaceous plants when available. They are known to be adaptable to both open plains and more arid, scrubby environments.
Social Structure: Typically live in herds led by dominant females. Female groups are often larger and more stable, while males may be solitary or form bachelor groups. Herds are very social, and adult females play a significant role in herd cohesion and safety.
Hunting Approach: Not typically hunted in the traditional sense, but Black Wildebeest cows are vulnerable to large predators such as lions, hyenas, and wild dogs. As part of a herd, they rely on the collective vigilance of the group to protect against predators. When threatened, they will often use their speed and agility to escape.
Preferred Habitat: Open grasslands, savanna, and lowland areas with some cover from trees or shrubs. They thrive in areas with a mix of grasslands and open spaces that allow for easy movement and grazing.
Water Sources: Black Wildebeest cows are generally found near permanent or seasonal water sources such as rivers, streams, and waterholes. They need to drink regularly but can survive without water for short periods if grazing is plentiful.
Best Hunting Locations: Wide, open plains and grasslands, particularly near water sources or grazing areas. These animals tend to stay in areas with sparse cover where they can see approaching threats from a distance.
Tracks and Trails: Cloven-hoofed tracks, often found in soft or sandy soils near water sources or grazing grounds. Trails are usually well-defined in open areas, particularly around waterholes or along migration paths.
Signs: Grazed grasses, droppings scattered near feeding areas or trails, and tracks around water sources or along paths in open grassland.
Ideal Hunting Times: Early morning and late afternoon, when Black Wildebeest cows are most active and grazing. These are the times when they are most likely to move between feeding and watering areas.
Breeding Season: Mating typically occurs during the wet season (March–May), with females giving birth after a gestation period of about 8–9 months, usually in the spring.
Trophy Quality: Female Black Wildebeests do not have the long, curved horns that males do. While they do have smaller, more subtle horns (typically shorter than males’, around 15–20 cm / 6–8 inches), they are not typically sought for trophy hunting. However, older females with thicker, more symmetrical horns can make for unique trophies in some circumstances.
Use of Scent Lures: Scent lures are not typically used for Black Wildebeest cows, though they may be attracted by the scent of males during mating season. Calls or grunts imitating a dominant male might occasionally provoke a response, especially if females are in estrus.
