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African beasts piped up (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gnus

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'african beasts' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gnus that I've seen before include "South African antelopes" , "Animals" , "Big game" , "Snug (anag) -- wildebeest" , "Large African antelopes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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