Buzz
Around the world, hunting for sport, trophies, and food remains a widely practiced activity. For many, the experience of shooting an animal and witnessing it fall is seen as a fulfilling, rather than disturbing, event. Some hunt driven by the thrill of inflicting harm on the animal, while the majority do so to immerse themselves in nature and challenge their intellect against a clever or dangerous prey.
In the United States, obtaining a big game hunting license is relatively simple and affordable. However, most North American game animals are plentiful. The ultimate hunting experience is generally regarded to be in Africa, where a vast number of the planet's most magnificent creatures roam freely. With their beauty comes an inherent danger that entices hunters from all corners of the world, eager to risk their lives against these mighty predators.
This has led to the over-hunting of various species for the challenge, thrill, and the value of their parts, which has contributed to the extinction of many and the endangerment of others. In response, conservation organizations have adopted a paradoxical approach, seeking to protect these species by legalizing their hunting for high fees. The funds generated are used for conservation efforts, including supplies, technology, and personnel.
8. Great White Shark vulnerable
The widespread fear of sharks can be largely attributed to Steven Spielberg's iconic film 'Jaws.' When asked to name a species of shark, 98% of people will immediately mention the Great White. It holds the title of the largest living macropredatory fish, capable of a bite force of around 4,000 pounds per square inch for a 21-foot specimen (the shark featured in 'Jaws' was a 25-footer).
The Great White ranks at number 8 because, while it is listed as vulnerable—one step above endangered—there are no reliable estimates of its global population. Sightings have become increasingly infrequent, and many countries have made it illegal to hunt or kill these sharks, except in self-defense. However, not all nations have implemented such laws, and the vast oceans remain unregulated. As a result, these sharks are still hunted without licenses, and hundreds of shark species, including the Great White, are killed annually by countries reliant on commercial fishing. The shark's fin is a prized delicacy, especially for use in soups.
In 2012, Australia legalized the hunting of Great White sharks after five fatal shark attacks that year. While hunting such sharks, the only risk to humans is if they happen to fall out of their boats. The primary reason for hunting or fishing these sharks is to protect swimmers, and no license is required for such activities.
7. Cheetah vulnerable
The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of 70 to 75 miles per hour for distances of up to 500 yards. While they are not particularly dangerous to humans, as they view humans more as predators than prey and typically keep their distance, their incredible speed comes with a downside. After sprinting, they need about ten minutes to catch their breath. If they make a kill, they cannot eat it until they've rested, and during this time, lions, African wild dogs, or hyenas often swoop in to steal their prey. The cheetah, too exhausted to fight back, must let them.
Because of these challenges, as well as the cheetah's relatively small size and inability to defend its cubs from larger predators like lions and hyenas, it has not thrived as much as other renowned African predators. Poaching further threatens their survival, as their pelts are highly coveted, particularly those with the rare King Cheetah pattern. Currently, there are about 12,400 cheetahs remaining in the wild.
In a fair contest with a human, the cheetah would easily prevail, weighing up to 160 pounds and being far more agile. However, cheetahs are very shy animals, and there are no known instances of cheetah attacks on humans in the wild. Sadly, their natural timidity poses its own problem for hunters, and many are willing to pay a reduced license fee of $1,750 to hunt one, a far cheaper option compared to hunting one of the African Big Five.
6. Hippopotamus vulnerable
Hippos may appear comically awkward, resembling large, adorable pigs, but in reality, they are incredibly short-tempered, possessing 20-inch ivory canine teeth and jaw hinges so far back that they can open their mouths up to 170 degrees when yawning or attacking. These creatures are perhaps the most irritable and aggressive animals in Africa, surpassed only by the Cape Buffalo and the notorious Honey Badger. Their skin is six inches thick, with minimal fat underneath, and they can sprint at 20 miles per hour for up to 50 yards, easily outrunning most humans.
No hippo has ever been conditioned to tolerate human presence enough to allow someone to walk around it. Although they are herbivores, they will attack any predator on sight, including Nile crocodiles, even while submerged. Some experienced hunters have admitted they will not risk engaging with a hippo. With an estimated population of 125,000 to 150,000 in the wild, hippos are frequently poached for their ivory teeth and as trophies. However, several countries where they reside allow licensed hunting for a fee of $2,500, not including travel and guides. While the teeth can be kept as trophies, the ivory trade is globally banned. Infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar once owned four hippos. When his estate was seized, the hippos became too dangerous to approach and were left to roam freely. Over time, they bred to 16, one of which was later shot in self-defense, with the remainder still living in the Magdalena River.
5. Polar Bear vulnerable
The most aggressive and dangerous bear on Earth is also the largest land predator. The Siberian tiger, the second-largest, is less than half the bear's size. Weighing between 770 and 1,500 pounds, it stands up to 5 feet at the shoulders and can reach lengths of 6 to 8 feet. The largest recorded male, hunted at Kotzebue Sound, Alaska, weighed 2,210 pounds and was mounted at a staggering 11 feet tall on its hind legs. A polar bear’s paws span 12 inches wide, and they have been known to charge at humans from over 100 yards away without provocation. Although they consider humans a food source only when desperately hungry, polar bears are unique in that they actively observe human activity, memorize frequent human zones, and then stalk, kill, and consume humans. They are far less tolerant of human presence than most wild animals and are stealthy hunters, making almost no sound as they move across ice, pouncing on their prey from behind.
Polar bears have been a topic of debate among the five Arctic nations: USA, Russia, Norway, Denmark, and Canada. They were even the sole subject of diplomatic discussions during the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, both agreeing to collaborate on the bear’s conservation. Currently, around 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears remain in the wild, and while hunting is strictly illegal in Norway, the other nations allow indigenous Arctic communities to hunt them for subsistence, as has been their tradition for centuries.
In the United States, sport hunting of polar bears is permitted, though under strict regulations and with a hefty license fee of $35,000. A notable requirement: any traveler entering polar bear territories in the Arctic must carry a firearm for self-defense at all times.
4. Grizzly Bear endangered
Known as the quintessential dangerous game animal of North America, the grizzly bear is a subspecies of the brown bear. The Kodiak bear, a rarer subspecies, numbered 3,526 in 2005, though it is not considered endangered because more Kodiak bears reach adulthood annually than die. The size of the grizzly varies greatly depending on food availability. While Kodiaks tie for the title of the largest bear, grizzlies can sometimes approach similar sizes. Most male grizzlies reach 6.5 feet in length, stand feet high at the shoulders, and weigh between 400 and 800 pounds, though some can grow as large as 1,500 pounds. They are capable of running at speeds of up to 41 miles per hour for 50 yards.
In the U.S., grizzly bears are found in Yellowstone Valley, northwest Montana, and Alaska, though they are typically smaller in Canada. Conservation efforts are in place to preserve the subspecies, but the population currently stands at 71,000 in the wild, a number that is steadily decreasing primarily due to hunting. While grizzlies are more aggressive than black bears, 70% of fatal grizzly attacks on humans occur when a mother with cubs is surprised. Survivors of such attacks often suffer severe injuries, including skull bites that cause their eyes to be forced out of their sockets. In both the United States and Canada, grizzlies are not subject to standard big game hunting regulations, and the cost of hunting one is $1,155 as of 2011.
3. Black Rhinoceros critically endangered
Rhinos continue to be poached illegally for their horns, which are carved into dagger hilts or ground into powder believed to have various pseudo-medical uses. As of 2010, approximately 2,500 black rhinos remain across all subspecies, mostly in Kenya, Tanzania, and along the southeastern coast of Africa, extending as far north as Angola. In spite of the illegal poaching, South Africa has chosen to sell some rhinos to professional hunters at high prices. In 1996, John Hume purchased three for $200,000 and sold hunting rights for two of them to two buyers, who paid $150,000 each and chose to remain anonymous due to death threats. Hume hunted the third rhino himself, becoming one of the first to pay a conservation society for the privilege of hunting a black rhino.
One of the anonymous hunters arrived in Africa after Hume and a professional tracker had spent two days tracking the rhino. They drove the hunter to the area, where he disembarked and spent two hours on foot following the guide until they located the bull. The rhino took two shots to the head before it finally fell.
The hunting approach for black rhinos is quite similar to that for elephants. These rhinos are not adept at hiding and do not instinctively flee from gunshots. Instead, black rhinos rank as the second or third most dangerous game animals in Africa, following the Cape Buffalo and Hippo, due to their tendency to charge without provocation. Their poor eyesight often leads them to gore termite mounds. When legally hunted, the hunter is allowed to keep any part of the rhino as a trophy, including the horn, but selling any of these parts is prohibited by international trade bans.
2. African Bush Elephant vulnerable
Elephants, in all honesty, are quite easy to kill if you're a human. Though they are often cited as having no natural predators, humans are a different matter. We understand our limitations and come prepared with powerful 'elephant guns.' In contrast, whitetail deer are notoriously difficult to hunt due to their excellent hearing and sense of smell. The wild turkey might be one of the hardest animals to hunt in North America. Most animals hide when they see humans, and for good reason. Elephants, however, do not—since they are used to being the largest creatures in the area. While they could not hide even if they tried, they simply stand and observe when they see a safari jeep. If the vehicle gets too close, the elephant may either walk away or charge. The challenge then becomes landing a headshot on a target the size of a small car engine.
Although elephants are critically endangered, their current population is estimated to be between 450,000 and 700,000. Back in 1900, there were around 10 million. A large portion of their decline was due to legal trophy hunting before African nations began implementing protective measures in the mid-20th century. Today, most of the elephants killed are the victims of illegal poaching. Despite the international ban on ivory, it remains a sought-after commodity, especially among the wealthy in Asia, with poachers earning up to $5,000 per pair of tusks, in addition to selling the hollowed-out feet as wastebaskets.
Elephants are still often hunted legally in South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania, where a license to hunt an old bull or cow costs a minimum of $50,000. The animals must be elderly, sick, or considered a rogue that poses a threat to humans. Rogue elephants are typically dealt with by wildlife preserve game wardens. When hunting is allowed, the hunter is guided by a jeep to locate the elephant, and the guide is present to assist if the hunter misses. It’s essential to separate the animal from the herd because attacking one elephant can trigger a charge from others nearby.
In response to criticism from animal rights advocates, proponents of these hunts argue that they prevent elephants from dying a slow death from starvation or from falling prey to the third-place predator. They also contend that the high fees for hunting licenses are used to fund the conservation efforts for the species. While I don't find much sporting value in using a massive rifle like the .700 Nitro Express, I do see the challenge in using a bow and arrow, which can be successful with a precise shot between the ribs.
1. African Lion vulnerable
Lions are categorized as 'vulnerable,' which is a step above endangered. Over the past two decades, their population has declined by 30 to 50%, primarily due to the expansion of industrial activities. There are now approximately 15,000 lions remaining in the wild in Africa. Lions tend to abandon an area when human activity and machinery disrupt the environment, scaring off their typical prey. They generally don't hunt humans unless suffering from serious dental issues or infected wounds. Despite being one of the smaller species on this list, they are regarded as some of the most skilled hunters in the animal kingdom.
Male lions can weigh up to 600 pounds and sprint at speeds of 45 miles per hour in short bursts. These bursts can last for up to 150 yards, and a single swipe of their paw can sever a hyena or even a person in half. Their majestic appearance makes them highly sought after as trophies. A professionally guided hunting trip will cost between $18,000 and $45,000, including a $5,000 license fee. Unlike the next species on this list, lions are not limited to being hunted only in their old age. Prime-age males and females can be legally hunted in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and a few others. These hunts usually take place in private, fenced game reserves that are at least 20,000 acres in size.
