Big five game
In Africa, the Big five game animals are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo.[1] The term was coined by big-game hunters to refer to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot,[2][3][4] but is now more widely used by game viewing tourists and safari tour operators.[5][2][6] They are examples of charismatic megafauna, featuring prominently in popular culture, and are among the most famous of Africa's large animals.
The 1990 and later releases of South African rand banknotes feature a different big-five animal on each denomination. Countries where all can be found include Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[7][8]
Species
Elephant
The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) are the largest extant land-based animals. Elephants are herbivores with thick, almost hairless skin; a long, flexible, prehensile trunk; upper incisors forming long, curved, ivory tusks; and large, fan-shaped ears. Elephants are difficult to hunt because, despite their large size, they are able to hide in thick bush and are more likely to charge than the other Big Five species. They become aggressive when their young are threatened.[9]
Rhinoceros
The
African buffalo
The
Lion
The
Leopard
The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a large, carnivorous feline. Its fur is generally tawny with dark rosette-shaped markings. The leopard is the most seldom seen of the Big Five 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 located in the grasslands, dense brushes, deserts, and forested areas of African savannas.
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
See also
- Charismatic megafauna
- Elephant Gun
- Little five game
References
- 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.
- ^ About.com. Archivedfrom the original on 9 February 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
- 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.
- ISBN 978-1-86872-582-3.
- ^ "Understanding and Protecting the Big Five in South Africa". goeco.org. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- ^ Nelson, Marsea. "Ten Wild Facts about the "Big Five"". www.worldwildlife.org. worldwildlife.org. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- ^ Planet, Lonely (28 October 2013). "Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 - top 10 countries". lonelyplanet.com.
- ^ "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.
- ISBN 978-1-4000-1234-3.
- ^ "Current Zoology" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 January 2022.
- ^ Stumpf, Bruce G. "Africa on the Matrix: The Cape Buffalo". Archived from the original on 20 December 2002. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-89272-691-2.
- ^ "African Animals Hunting facts and tips - Buffalo Hunting". safariBwana newsletter. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-312-69657-3.
- ^ "African Lion". safaribwana.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ Robinson, Steve (2008). "Unpleasant Truth About Canned Shooting". shakariconnection.com. Shakari Connection. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
- ^ "Diceros bicornis".