InAfrica, theBig Five game animals are thelion,leopard,rhinoceros,elephant, andAfrican buffalo.[1] The term was coined bybig-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 andsafari tour operators.[5][2][6] They are examples ofcharismatic megafauna, featuring prominently in popular culture, and are among the most famous of Africa's large animals.
The 1990 and later releases ofSouth African randbanknotes feature a different big-five animal on each denomination. Countries where all can be found includeAngola,Botswana,Chad, theDemocratic Republic of the Congo,Ethiopia,Eswatini,Kenya,Malawi,Mozambique,Namibia,Nigeria,Rwanda,South Africa,Tanzania,Uganda,Zambia andZimbabwe.[7][8]
TheAfrican bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest extant land-based animal. The only other extant elephant native to Africa is thecritically endangeredAfrican forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), which is the smallest of the three elephant species. Elephants areherbivores with thick, almost hairless skin; a long, flexible, prehensile trunk; upperincisors 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 game animals. They become aggressive when their young are threatened.[9]
Theblack rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and thewhite rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) are large herbivores with two upright horns on their nasal bridge. The black rhino is classified ascritically endangered and the white rhino asnear threatened, and both are subject to extensive poaching. Among big-five game hunters, the black rhinoceros is more highly prized.[10] The current existing rhinos throughout the savanna aresouthern white rhinoceros,eastern black rhinoceros,south-western black rhinoceros andsouth-central black rhinoceros.
TheAfrican buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a largehornedbovid. 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 of any of the Big Five:[12] buffalos have reportedly been known to ambush and attack humans.[13]
Thelion (Panthera leo) is a large, carnivorousfeline found in both Africa and northwesternIndia. It has a short, tawny coat; a tufted tail; and, in the male, a heavymane around the neck and shoulders. As a large and charismaticapex predator with cultural significance, lions are among the most popular species to view on safari tours.[14][15][16]
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Theleopard (Panthera pardus) is a large, carnivorous feline which like the lion is found not just in Africa but also India (as well as the rest of Asia). 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.
Africa's Big Five have become major concerns for wildlife conservationists in recent years. The African lion and African leopard are both classified asvulnerable. The African savanna elephant is classified asendangered by the IUCN as of 2021. Thesouthern white rhinoceros andAfrican buffalo are classified asnear threatened while theblack rhinoceros is classified ascritically endangered.[17]
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.
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.
