Black Wildebeest in Danger through
hybridization
Black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) and blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) can interbreed
and produce fertile hybrids. This is a threat to the genetic integrity of both species and is
undesirable. No cases of hybridization have been documented naturally, but the proliferation of
game farming where both species are often enclosed in a relatively small area (often out of their
historical range) has resulted in numerous cases of hybridization taking place.
KZN Wildlife regards the problem so seriously that they have ensured
that only one species of wildebeest occurs in any KZN protected area and have adopted a policy that
will attempt to reduce the opportunities for hybridization in the province of KZN as a whole. This
policy places certain restrictions on private landowners in order to ensure the long term
conservation of both species of wildebeest.
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