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Wildebeest Arrive
 Not far from the new Cheetah: The Race for Survival exhibit, visitors will notice a striking new “beast” in the large mixed Plains yard. Two female blue wildebeests, Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus, will join the zebras, kudus and ostriches. With the re-configuration for the Cheetah exhibit, Zoo visitors should get a whole new perspective on the whole Plains area, with sweeping vistas from the elephant exhibit, across the cheetah exhibit, and into the large yard.
The blue wildebeest is a species of antelope that has large, thick horns, spiky manes, and long, white beards. They can be found in southern and eastern Africa, and typically weigh 260 to 606 lbs. In the wild they can live in groups ranging in size from ten individuals to around 1,000 herd mates during the rainy season. Most populations are migratory, while some remain in the same general area throughout the year. The annual wildebeest migration is a phenomenon of nature often chronicled in documentaries and movies.
Unlike the cheetah, the blue wildebeest’s conservation status is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), meaning that these animals are still widespread and abundant in their primary ranges.
The two females that will be on exhibit—Isabelle and Sangria—came to the Indianapolis Zoo from the Ft. Wayne Children’s Zoo and are four and nine years old, respectively. With their large size, prominent horns and distinctive markings, these spectacular animals should be very visible on exhibit.
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