The wildebeest is a large antelope species native to Africa known for their distinctive appearance, with a long, broad muzzle and curved horns. Wildebeest are social animals that live in herds of hundreds or even thousands of individuals. As herbivores, they feed on grasses and other vegetation in the savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands of Africa. They are the stars of the Great Migration, which takes place in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem each year when over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and other grazing animals make a circular journey in search of food and water.

The wildebeest is an important species in African ecosystems, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their habitats by grazing on grasses and stimulating growth, as well as providing food for predators. Wildebeest are also culturally important, with some indigenous cultures regarding them as symbols of strength and fertility. Despite their ecological and cultural significance, the wildebeest population has declined in recent decades due to habitat loss and overhunting, which is being addressed by conservation groups with some success.