What are the Big Five
Part 2- African Lion
As mentioned in my first post on “What are the Big 5”, I began this short series of blog posts by thinking of myself as visiting South Africa for the first time or Africa for an African Safari Tour.
I would want to know what on earth this term Big 5 is all about.
Before we start, if you missed “What are the Big 5 Part 1 – African Buffalo click text”
Well the simple answer is that the term “Big 5” originates from hunters. As you can imagine if you were going to hunt animals for food there would be no point in hunting a Lion or Elephant. Well, we don’t generally eat predators either and Elephant we what on earth are we going to do with all the meat?
So generally, if we were hunting for food, we would hunt things like, Kudu, Nyala, Warthog, Zebra, Eland, Impala and Wildebeest. Neither of these animals are difficult or dangerous to hunt with a firearm.
So, this is where it all evolved, the Big 5 the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot! And who are these animals? Why would people hunt them? and why are they so dangerous to hunt on foot?
Below I have highlighted one of the Big 5 animals with a paragraph answering those three questions as well as adding in some of my stories and fun facts.
The Big 5, Number 1: African Lion
Hunting of Big game has become a big industry over many years, may people visit South Africa or Africa not only for an Eco-Safari Tour but also to Trophy hunt.
Of course, everything should be legit as certain things like “Canned Lion hunting” is illegal and unethical.
For this that don’t yet know what “Canned Lion hunting” is, it is basically breading Lions (which is easy to do) for the sole purpose of being shot as an adult for the “hunter” to take a Trophy home. An example of a Trophy would be the head of a Lion with a large mane etc.
Fortunately, this is illegal and there has been a big crack down on farmers who have been caught farming Lions for Trophy hunts.
As you can imagine a Lion is a scary prospect to be face to face within the African bush especially if it’s a Lioness with Cubs!
I have had a couple moments during to game ranger/field guide career where I have been tracking these majestic animals on foot to show our eco-tourist so that they can shoot them with the Camera.
We must remember that no animal wants to kill you and eat you! Lions for example have not been raised by there mothers to purposely feed on humans however there are a couple of records of “man eating Lions” over the years.
Lions are not used to seeing people on foot, in the big game reserve for example Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve in KwaZulu Natal or Kruger National Park in Limpopo/Mpumalanga, South Africa; Lions are used to seeing tourists on the back of open game viewers.
As soon as you get out of the vehicle on foot you break up the outline of the vehicle which is what they are used to seeing. This being different to what they are used to can get them scared.
Of course, a Lioness will protect her Cubs with her life and any potential threat like humans approaching on foot can cause her to “Mock Charge”. If you don’t get the idea that she is upset, she will repeat the same a couple of times and if you still don’t move away then you might get the full charge where it will be to late to say your prayers.
I always say, there is no cure for stupid…
I will never forget the first time I ever tracked a Lion with my tracker on foot. It was a winter morning, and this section of bush had been burned back to encourage new growth. (A Fire brake). We were following the “Spoor” (Tracks) and all a sudden we heard a growl; I naturally lifted my riffle as I was a bit wet behind the ears and there he was! He was beautiful, just laying down in the ash left from the fire.
Grateful we now had located him were we now slowing going to back out of the Lions personal space and silly me, I tripped over a log and a couple of my rounds slipped out of my Bandolier (the holster that slides on your belt to carry our rounds) … I think the Lion must have been rolling his eyes at me before we got back to the Land Cruiser to drive in with our guests who could enjoy views this majestic Lion.
A second experience I had of a Lioness charging was when I was also working at Sabi Sabi in the greater Kruger National Park.
We were out with students on a training walk and it probably wasn’t the best area to be walking as the grass was at shoulder height, but we were tracking this Lioness who we knew had cubs.
Within a split second this Lioness came charging through the grass, stopping and running off so quickly I didn’t even have time to lift my riffle… It was a privileged to be so close and for her to understand that we were not there to hurt her or her cubs we just wanted to find her to enjoy her visual beauty.
Lions really are something very special, being Nocturnal they are more active at night and have the most amazing night vision. I have written a post specifically on the structure of Lions Eyes, click the bold text to read about them.
I could go on and on about Lions and the many experiences I have been so fortunate to have with them, but I will save some of those stories for another Blog post.
Ok, maybe just one more. I won’t write anything about it you can just enjoy the video below and experience the privileged moment my clients and I felt that night!
Lions drinking water out of a guests plunge pool at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge.
