Hunting Portal
Namibia

Characteristics:
Black wildebeest stand about 120 cm / 48 inch at the shoulder, with a mass of about 180 kg / 397 lb.. Peculiar appearance: Powerful body, the back slopes from the massive humped shoulder to the slender, lightly built hindquarters. Black wildebeest have a big head with a conspicuous brush of long hair along the muzzle between eyes and nostrils, distinct chin beard, an elongated patch of long hair on the chest extends to the forelegs.

Colouring:
Dark brown, adult bulls can be almost black in colour. Their neck and shoulder mane is yellowish-white at the basis, but dark towards the tip. The characteristic feature in the field is the tail, which is dark at the base, the remainder with long, off-white hair reaching nearly to the ground. Both sexes have a similar appearance, cows being slightly smaller. Young calves are lighter in colour.

Habitat:
Open grassland, dry pans with thorn-bush savanna.

Occurrence:
No natural occurrence in Namibia. Having been introduced on many hunting farms in the country, Black wildebeest have adapted well to local conditions.

Main food:
Black wildebeest are predominantly grazers, but the will also feed on succulents and browse on aroid bushes. They depend on water and drink regularly.