Crossword Genius

Antelope never used to be picked up? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gnu

'antelope' is the definition.
(gnu is a kind of antelope)

'never used to be picked up?' is the wordplay.
'never used' becomes 'new' (new can mean unused).
'to be picked up?' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue (I've seen 'to be picked up' mean this).
'new' is a homophone of 'GNU'.

(Other definitions for gnu that I've seen before include "Strange gun for an antelope" , "animals" , "Wildebeest" , "Antelope sounds as if it has knowledge" , "Gun for a kind of deer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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