Africa's Most Dangerous Animals
Each year, there are hundreds of human fatalities in Africa as a result of attacks by wild animals. But which of these animals are the most dangerous?
1.Lion
Lions exist throughout sub-Saharan Africa in secure and protected environments. The feline beasts have been known to become highly dangerous, and the legends of man-eating lions are certainly not a myth. A study in 2005 revealed that lion attacks against humans were definitely on the increase in Tanzania and Mozambique. Sickly male lions are usually largely accountable for the scores of human fatalities that take place every year as a result of lion attacks.
Killer Instinct
Lions are not only known as the “king of the jungle” but they are also the top predators in Africa. These cunning animals account for around 100 human deaths in Africa each year. In Kenya in 1898 a pair of man-eaters known as the “Lions of Tsavo”, terrorized and killed a staggering 135 British Ugandan Railway workers over a period of 9 months. The terror and deaths caused by these lions were so shocking it was even discussed in the British Parliament!
Lions exist throughout sub-Saharan Africa in secure and protected environments. The feline beasts have been known to become highly dangerous, and the legends of man-eating lions are certainly not a myth. A study in 2005 revealed that lion attacks against humans were definitely on the increase in Tanzania and Mozambique. Sickly male lions are usually largely accountable for the scores of human fatalities that take place every year as a result of lion attacks.
Killer Instinct
Lions are not only known as the “king of the jungle” but they are also the top predators in Africa. These cunning animals account for around 100 human deaths in Africa each year. In Kenya in 1898 a pair of man-eaters known as the “Lions of Tsavo”, terrorized and killed a staggering 135 British Ugandan Railway workers over a period of 9 months. The terror and deaths caused by these lions were so shocking it was even discussed in the British Parliament!
2. Nile Crocodile
But if you think lions are dangerous, think again. Estimates are that crocodiles in Africa (Nile crocodiles) kill approximately 1,000+ people each year in Africa!
The Nile Crocodile is present in virtually every large river throughout Africa (that is, in the African wild, not in built-up or urban areas), including numerous lakes and wetlands. Many deaths take place when people are washing their clothes or gathering food in the vicinity of crocodile-inhabited river banks and waters. Fisherman are also prone to being attacked as they wade in the water or push and pull their boats in and out of the water.
Method of the kill
Crocodiles kill humans the same way they kill animals: They strike by dragging their victims underwater and drowning them. They roll their victim's bodies underwater, violently shaking them repeatedly in order to weaken any resistance. Then they bang their prey against the rocks to fracture the bones and rip the flesh into bite-sized pieces. Despite their huge mouth, Nile crocodiles actually have weak jaws. It's a grisly death to be sure.
But if you think lions are dangerous, think again. Estimates are that crocodiles in Africa (Nile crocodiles) kill approximately 1,000+ people each year in Africa!
The Nile Crocodile is present in virtually every large river throughout Africa (that is, in the African wild, not in built-up or urban areas), including numerous lakes and wetlands. Many deaths take place when people are washing their clothes or gathering food in the vicinity of crocodile-inhabited river banks and waters. Fisherman are also prone to being attacked as they wade in the water or push and pull their boats in and out of the water.
Method of the kill
Crocodiles kill humans the same way they kill animals: They strike by dragging their victims underwater and drowning them. They roll their victim's bodies underwater, violently shaking them repeatedly in order to weaken any resistance. Then they bang their prey against the rocks to fracture the bones and rip the flesh into bite-sized pieces. Despite their huge mouth, Nile crocodiles actually have weak jaws. It's a grisly death to be sure.
3. Elephant
Elephants kill an estimated 500 people in Africa each year. It is extremely unlikely that you will run into an elephant unless you're in a wildlife reserve, but if you do come across this 12,000-pound animal inadvertently, things could possibly get very ugly very quickly, especially if you get too close or during mating season. African elephants, specifically old bulls and younger males, could become aggressive even if not provoked. In areas in which poaching is prevalent and the elephants' environment is threatened or vulnerable, elephants tend to become far more hostile and aggressive.
Method of killing
Trampling, stomping, squeezing, tossing in the air (with their tusks), or simply crushing their victims. And don't think you're safe in your vehicle either. An adult elephant (male or female) is capable of overturning and crushing a vehicle (car, SUV, truck, or minibus) like a tin can! These attacks are usually unprovoked. The moral of the story: stay clear of them.
Elephants kill an estimated 500 people in Africa each year. It is extremely unlikely that you will run into an elephant unless you're in a wildlife reserve, but if you do come across this 12,000-pound animal inadvertently, things could possibly get very ugly very quickly, especially if you get too close or during mating season. African elephants, specifically old bulls and younger males, could become aggressive even if not provoked. In areas in which poaching is prevalent and the elephants' environment is threatened or vulnerable, elephants tend to become far more hostile and aggressive.
Method of killing
Trampling, stomping, squeezing, tossing in the air (with their tusks), or simply crushing their victims. And don't think you're safe in your vehicle either. An adult elephant (male or female) is capable of overturning and crushing a vehicle (car, SUV, truck, or minibus) like a tin can! These attacks are usually unprovoked. The moral of the story: stay clear of them.
4. Hippo
Hippos are said to be responsible for more human deaths in Africa than almost any other major wild animal, although this cannot be accurately verified. Some put the figure at 500 deaths per year, while others think it's far more.
Male hippos are particularly territorial along the banks of rivers and wetlands. Females have also been known to become severely aggressive should they detect anybody getting in between themselves and their young, who remain in the water while the mother grazes on land.
Hippos are large, heavy animals weighing between 1,300 and 1,500 kilograms (up to 9,920 pounds) and can easily run at speeds of more than 20 miles per hour. They also possess massive jaws with twenty-inch incisors. One bite from a hippo would be enough to cause a fatality in a grown man.
Method of killing
Most attacks take place on land. However, hippos have also been known to attack boats and overturning them, drowning the occupants, and even continuing to attack them underwater.
Apart from tipping boats, hippos have been known to trample their victims, drag them into the water and drown them, bite them clean in half, or bite their heads off.
Hippos are said to be responsible for more human deaths in Africa than almost any other major wild animal, although this cannot be accurately verified. Some put the figure at 500 deaths per year, while others think it's far more.
Male hippos are particularly territorial along the banks of rivers and wetlands. Females have also been known to become severely aggressive should they detect anybody getting in between themselves and their young, who remain in the water while the mother grazes on land.
Hippos are large, heavy animals weighing between 1,300 and 1,500 kilograms (up to 9,920 pounds) and can easily run at speeds of more than 20 miles per hour. They also possess massive jaws with twenty-inch incisors. One bite from a hippo would be enough to cause a fatality in a grown man.
Method of killing
Most attacks take place on land. However, hippos have also been known to attack boats and overturning them, drowning the occupants, and even continuing to attack them underwater.
Apart from tipping boats, hippos have been known to trample their victims, drag them into the water and drown them, bite them clean in half, or bite their heads off.