Big five game
The phrase Big Five game was coined by big-game hunters and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa[1] to hunt on foot. The term is still used in most tourist and wildlife guides that discuss African wildlife safaris. The collection consists of the lion, the African elephant, the Cape Buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros.[2] The members of the big five were chosen for the difficulty in hunting them and the degree of danger involved, rather than their size.[1][3]
Overview
The big five are among the most dangerous animals to hunt. They are some of the most popular species for big game hunters to hunt.[4] Safari Club International, an organization dedicated to trophy hunters, offers a trophy for hunting all five species, called the "African Big Five Grand Slam," along with 14 other Grand Slams for other species, and a total of more than 40 different awards.
The 1990 and later releases of South African rand banknotes feature a different Big Five animal on each denomination.
Countries where the big five can all be found include Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana. According to recent studies it is difficult to spot the Rhinoceros in Botswana.
African Big Five Game Species
African elephant
The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is a very large herbivore having thick, almost hairless skin, a long, flexible, prehensile trunk, upper incisors forming long curved tusks of ivory, and large, fan-shaped ears. There are two distinct species of African elephant: African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana). The elephant is difficult because despite its large size, they are able to hide in the tall grass, and are more likely to charge than the other species.[5]
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros may refer to both Black Rhinoceros and White rhinoceros. Among Big Five game hunters, the Black Rhinoceros is preferred. The Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is a large, thick-skinned herbivore having one or two upright horns on the nasal bridge.
Cape Buffalo
The African Buffalo or Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large horned bovid. It is considered the most dangerous of the Big Five, reportedly causing the most hunter deaths.[6]
Lion
The Lion (Panthera leo) is a large carnivorous feline of Africa and northwest India, having 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. A lion would just as soon attack you if given a chance, and is considered by many to be the best of the Big Five.[7]
Lion is known as simba in Swahili and imbube, imbumesi and ngonyama in Zulu dialects Lion is widespread throughout Africa where ever there is enough prey and water to sustain the pride. As lions are gregarious and reside in prides, lion prides require a large prey base in the territory controlled by the pride. Main prey species include wildebeest, zebra and impala. Lions are generally found in savannah grassland of Africa. Lions are usually shot at close range due largely to the habitat of the lions.
Lion hunting is challenging due to the habitat, and the temperament of the lion. Lions habituate the savanna where tall grasses, shrubs and bushes obscure and provide camouflage for lions. This thinck undergroth is commonly refered to as jess. The lion is well adopted to its habitat. As lions are ambush hunters, they use the natural cover to stalk close as possible before making a final charge to catch their prey. Lions do not generally avoid confrontation but will usually face the challenger. Lions are unpredictable and may charge when sufficiently annoyed or confronted by danger. These factors together make lion hunting a challenge to hunters.
Lion is hunted by three methods: baiting, stalking and hounding.
Baiting involves the hunter lying in wait in a natural or constructed blind. Prior to the hunt a prey species is hunted and used as bait and secured to a tree or secure structure in an area which is known to be habituated by lions. Usually this will be close to a watering hole. The bait is checked regularyly until there are signs that the carcass has been visited by a lion. Once this has taken place a blind is constructed usually 30–50 yd (27–46 m) where the hunting party lie in wait from early evening until early morning the next day.[8]
Stalking involves driving along trails in areas were lions are known to inhabit. Once fresh spoor is sighted the hunting party which would include trackers would dismount. The trackers will follow tracks and spore signs while scanning for the lion. When the lion is spotted, the professional hunter and the client will stalk in close until they reach a good shooting position. Hunting lions by stalking is conducted in daylight hours when there is sufficient light to spot lion which would usually be resting. Night stalking using electric light sources is banned in most countries.
Hounding is the least used method today. This method of hunting lion uses dogs and may include a fighting pack and a tracking pack. The hunting party will drive in known lion territory until fresh spores can be spotted at which time the dogs are released. The pack will attempt to follow the scent trail of the lion. Once the lion is encountered where upon the pack will attempt to hold the lion at bay until the hunting party arrives to dispatch the lion. Like the stalking, hounding is usually conducted during daylight hours. Unlike the leopard, the lion will usually stand and fight rather than flee.
Lion require at a minimum a .300 Winchester Magnum.[8] However, certain jurisdictions require a minimum a .375 H&H Magnum or a 9.3x62mm Mauser as a minimum caliber. Use of lights in hunting lion is considered unethical and is illigal in some countries. Lions hunted with lights may not be listed as trophies by Safari Club International.
Leopard
The Leopard (Panthera pardus) is a large, carnivorous feline having either tawny fur with dark rosette-like markings or black fur. Leopards are the most difficult to acquire hunting licenses for and are often difficult to hunt due to their behavior and their nocturnal feeding habits. Leopard hunting usually overlaps several weeks of baiting.
Conservation status
The Lion and African bush elephant are classified as vulnerable (This does not include the Indian, Asian or African elephant.) The Leopard and White Rhinoceros are all classified as near threatened. The Black Rhinoceros is classified as critically endangered.[9]. The African Buffalo is the most popular Big Five to hunt as its conservation status is least concern.
See also
- Big game hunting
- Trophy hunting
- Elephant gun
- Buffalo gun
- Game reserve
- Lion hunting
- Hippopotomus
- Crocodile
References
- ^ a b Zijlma, Anouk. "The Big Five: Index". Africa for Visitors. About.com. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
- ^ Capstick, Peter H. (1984). Safari, the last adventure. St. Martin's Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-0312696573.
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.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Capstick, Peter H. (1983). Death in the Dark Continent. St. Martin's Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-0312186159.
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.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Du Toit, Richard (2001). Africa's Big Five. Struik Publishers. ISBN 978-1868725823.
- ^ 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 978-1400012343.
- ^ Wieland, Terry (2006). Dangerous-Game Rifles. Countrysport Press. p. 286. ISBN 978-0892726912.
- ^ Capstick, Peter H. (1984). Safari, the last adventure. St. Martin's Press. p. 165. ISBN 978-0312696573.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ a b "African Lion". safaribwana.com. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ "Diceros bicornis".