Blue wildebeest is placed in the family Bovidae, ruminant animals with cloven hooves. The generic name "Connochaetes" derives from the Greek words κόννος, kónnos, "beard", and χαίτη, khaítē, "flowing hair", "mane". The specific name "taurinus" originates from the Greek word "tauros", which means a bull or bullock. The common name "blue wildebeest" refers to the conspicuous, silvery-blue sheen of the coat, while the alternative name "gnu" originates from the name for these animals used by the Khokloi people, a native pastoralist people of southwestern Africa. Though the blue and black wildebeest are currently classified in the same genus, the latter was previously
Wildebeest (ride) at the Golden Ticket Awards, which are presented annually by "Amusement Today" magazine. "Wildebeest" was also awarded the Golden Ticket Award for "Best Waterpark Ride" in 2010 and 2011. On August 13, 2009, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari announced "Wildebeest", a ProSlide HydroMagnetic Rocket that was to be built to the north of "Bahari Wave Pool". Unique to "Wildebeest" was its use of a conveyor belt to transport riders uphill from ground level. This allowed riders unable to climb stairs to ride, unlike all other water coasters at the time. Another unique feature of "Wildebeest" was its length. When completed,