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) again launched uphill and out of the tunnel. At the top of this hill the boat completes a left-turning helix before making a slight turn to the right to line up with the unloading station. Once the boat has made the turn to the right, it makes a small drop and is launched onto the end-of-the-ride conveyor belt with the help of a small LIM. The final conveyor belt brings the boat to the exit point, at which time riders unload. "Wildebeest" operates with water and in heavily-wooded areas. Due to these factors, "Wildebeest" closes when there is lightning or