WILDEBEEST, GOLDEN

The Golden Wildebeest is a colour variant of the Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus), also known as a Brindled Gnu. Blue Wildebeest have a distinctively curved, elongated body covered by a greyish-blue coat, which can vary in shades from slate blue to bluish-grey. The males are larger than females and have a dark characteristic beard of long hair on its chin, a mane that runs down its neck and a horse-like black tail. 

Distribution: South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

Size: A large and robust antelope species.

Weight: 350 – 600lb / 230 – 270 kg

Shoulder Height: 50 – 60’’ / 1.27 – 1.52 m

Horns: Both sexes have Buffalo like horns with the bulls having thicker horns and bosses than the cows. 

Habitat: They enjoy dry areas of open grassy plains as well as Bushveld with a preference for short green grass. They are primarily short grass grazers and play a crucial role in their ecosystem by helping to maintain grassland health.

Habits: Blue Wildebeests are diurnal and highly social. During the breeding season, males establish territories and engage in displays of dominance, including fighting and vocalisations. Blue Wildebeest communicate through a variety of sounds, including grunts and snorts, to alert the herd of potential dangers. Their strong herd instinct provides safety in numbers, as they work together to watch for predators and protect the young.

Hunting Tips: They have favourite sleeping spots and can be very territorial. They are also regular drinkers, so waterholes should be investigated. Make sure to shoot low on the rib cage, for some reason hunters regularly shoot high at this species. As this animal is a particularly tough and tenacious animal, such a mistake could result in lost property.

Trophy Information

Good Horn Length: 28’’  

Record Book

SCI Min. : 70 

SCI Min. Bow : 54  

Rowland Ward Min. : 28 4/8  

World Record : 36 

SCI Measurement Method: 5  

Rowland Ward Measurement Method: 13-a

Species & Subspecies Information

Species: 2. Black Wildebeest and Blue Wildebeest.   

Subspecies: 6. Southern Blue Wildebeest or Typical Blue Wildebeest, Nyasaland or Johnston’s Wildebeest, Cookson’s Wildebeest, Eastern White Bearded Wildebeest, Mearn’s or Western White Bearded Wildebeest and Angolan Blue Wildebeest.  

Colour Variants: Blue Wildebeest, Ghost or Royal Wildebeest, Golden Wildebeest, Kings Wildebeest and Seretse Wildebeest.