Blue Wildebeest

We saw blue wildebeest in Etosha NP in Namibia and Hwange NP in Zimbabwe. There are five subspecies of blue wildebeest and this subspecies is the nominate form (Connochaetus taurinus taurinus) known as the blue wildebeest, common wildebeest, white-bearded wildebeest or brindled gnu. 

Near Chudop waterhole in Etosha NP.

It is found in a pretty significant portion of southern Africa as noted in brown on the map below. The western white bearded wildebeest, the other subspecies we saw previously in East Africa, has a much more limited range as shown in yellow on the map below.  

Subspecies distribution of the blue wildebeest from Wikipedia. 

Some of the differences between these two subspecies are that: (a) the manes of the western white-bearded wildebeest are lank (limp), while the manes of the common wildebeest stick up; (b) the western white-bearded wildebeest is the smallest of the subspecies; (c) it is the darkest of the subspecies; and (d) it has the shortest muzzle.  

This wildebeest, in Etosha NP, has an illustrative mane sticking up. 

In the same vicinity, near Okondeka waterhole, northwest of Okaukuejo. 

This ugly wildebeest is made uglier by rolling in mud. Their ugliness is part of what makes them so fun. 

Near a lone thorn tree on the edge of the pan in the vicinity of Homob waterhole.

In Hwange NP.

Back to Etosha.