Black Wildebeest (White-tailed Gnu)

The Black Wildebeest or White-tailed Gnu, (Connochaetes gnou), is one of two species of gnu. Although they are endemic to the southern region of Africa, they have been almost completely exterminated in that region. However, the species has been reintroduced widely, in private facilities and nature reserves where their numbers can grow. They can now be found in reserves in Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa and Namibia.

The primal herds were exterminated, being seen as pests, with the secondary advantage of using the hides and meat. Thus this animal exists primarily in herds derived from captive specimens. Its preferred habitat types are grassy savanna and Karoo of the central South Africa plateau.