Big five game

In Africa, the Big Five game animals are the lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant, and the African buffalo.[1] The term was coined by big-game hunters, and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot,[2][3][4] but is now also widely used by safari tour operators.[5][2][6]

The Big Five
The Big Five in art

The 1990 and later releases of South African rand banknotes feature a different big-five animal on each denomination.

Each of the big five are examples of charismatic megafauna, featuring prominently in popular culture, and are among the most famous of Africa's large animals.

Countries where all can be found include Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Uganda, Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Malawi.[7][8]

Species

African bush elephant
African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana)

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is a very large herbivore with thick, almost hairless skin; a long, flexible, prehensile trunk; upper incisors forming long, curved, ivory tusks; and large, fan-shaped ears. Its closest living relative is the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis). Elephants are difficult to hunt because, despite their large size, they are able to hide in tall grass and are more likely to charge than the other Big Five species. They become aggressive when their young ones are being mistreated or their view of their young is being blocked. [9]

Black rhinoceros
Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is a large herbivore with two upright horns on its nasal bridge. Its thick (1.5–5 cm), protective skin is formed from layers of collagen arranged in a lattice structure, and is very hard to puncture. Because it is now critically endangered, hunting is extremely limited. In the context of big-game hunting in Africa, the term "rhinoceros" may also refer to the white rhinoceros, but among big-five game hunters, the black rhinoceros is more highly prized.[10]

African buffalo
African buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large horned bovid. It is the only animal among the Big Five that is not on the “endangered” or “threatened” list.[11] The Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) is considered by many to be the most dangerous to hunters of any of the Big Five:[12] Wounded buffalos have reportedly been known to ambush and attack their pursuers.[13]

Lion
Lion (Panthera leo)

The lion (Panthera leo) is a large, carnivorous feline found in Africa and northwest India. It has a short, tawny coat; a tufted tail; and, in the male, a heavy mane around the neck and shoulders. Lions are desirable to hunters because of the very real danger involved in hunting them.[14] [15][16]

Leopard
Leopard (Panthera pardus)

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a large, carnivorous feline. Its fur may be either black, or tawny with dark rosette-shaped markings. The leopard is considered the most difficult of the Big Five to hunt because of its nocturnal habits (it is most active between sunset and sunrise, although it may hunt during the day in some areas), and because it is wary of humans and will take flight in the face of danger. Leopards can be found in the savanna grasslands, brush land and forested areas in Africa. Among the Big Five, they are the most difficult animals to acquire a hunting license for.[17]

Conservation status

Africa's Big Five have become major concerns for wildlife conservationists in recent years. The African lion and African leopard are both classified as vulnerable. The African savanna elephant is listed as endangered by the IUCN as of 2021. The southern white rhinoceros is classified as near threatened while the black rhinoceros is classified as critically endangered, so hunting them is greatly restricted.[18]

See also

References
  1. Capstick, Peter H. (1984). Safari, the last adventure. St. Martin's Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-312-69657-3. Generally known as the "Big Five," the group we're talking about comprises lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino, although not necessarily in that order.
  2. Zijlma, Anouk. "The Big Five: Index". Africa for Visitors. About.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  3. Capstick, Peter H. (1983). Death in the Dark Continent. St. Martin's Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-312-18615-9. No human being could begin to outrun any of the big five, nor would he last more than a few seconds in any contest of strength.
  4. Du Toit, Richard (2001). Africa's Big Five. Struik Publishers. ISBN 978-1-86872-582-3.
  5. "Understanding and Protecting the Big Five in South Africa". goeco.org. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  6. Nelson, Marsea. "Ten Wild Facts about the "Big Five"". www.worldwildlife.org. worldwildlife.org. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  7. Planet, Lonely (28 October 2013). "Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 - top 10 countries". lonelyplanet.com.
  8. "Rhinos Return to Rwanda's Akagera National Park after 10 Years". ugandatravelblog.com. 2 May 2017. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  9. Fodor's African Safari, 1st Edition: From Budget to Big Spending Where and How to Find the Best Big Game Adventure in Southern and Eastern Africa. Fodor's. 2004. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-4000-1234-3.
  10. "Current Zoology" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 January 2022.
  11. Stumpf, Bruce G. "Africa on the Matrix: The Cape Buffalo". Archived from the original on 20 December 2002. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  12. Wieland, Terry (2006). Dangerous-Game Rifles. Countrysport Press. p. 286. ISBN 978-0-89272-691-2.
  13. "African Animals Hunting facts and tips - Buffalo Hunting". safariBwana newsletter. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  14. Capstick, Peter H. (1984). Safari, the last adventure. St. Martin's Press. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-312-69657-3.
  15. "African Lion". safaribwana.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  16. Robinson, Steve (2008). "Unpleasant Truth About Canned Shooting". shakariconnection.com. Shakari Connection. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  17. "News - Meet The Big Five". www.holidaytourafrica.com. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  18. "Diceros bicornis".
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