They haven't killed many people yet, but the number of people injured by white rhinos in Kruger is increasing rapidly, out of proportion to the number that exist; according to our guide there.

So much for the white ones having a milder temper.

Actual statistics prove that more PH's are injured by leopard each year than all other animals combined.

Hippo's kill more people every year than all other animals combined in Southern and Eastern Africa.

But who kills the most PH's?

After two experiences in the last month that gave me a vital clue I went and did some research... Answer. Another goon with a rifle or shotgun!!!

After reading Brian Herne's "Golden Age of Safari" I'd have to agree. Seemed like a bunch of guys went into early retirement due to gunshot wounds.



A lot of PH's seemed to fall prey to visiting female's too. . .

...For the female of the species is deadlier than the male! (Kippling)

Had a council game scout with a 12 guage and a Parks scout with an AK convince me that wounded buff in the jesse were a minor concern in a PH's life - and all in the last 4 weeks! I'm more gun shy than the Kennedy's.

Ganyana,

I agree completely with you about people with with guns being a serious danger to PHs.......I'm always extra cautious if a client is taking Larium. Although many people will claim they have no side effects from it, I see an awful lot of people who take it and seem to have very short periods where they seem to just "turn off" and put thir mind in neutral.

Hippo's killing more people in Africa than all the other species combined......hmmmm, Although I've never seen any figures on this, it seems to be a commonly quoted theme. Just my opinion, but I reckon some instant expert journalist probably dreamed that one up for some dopey western magazine, and I would say that although a lot of people do get killed by Hippo, I reckon it's more likely that flatdogs or snakes alone would actually kill more people than Hippo...... to say nothing of the mosquito. Frankly, I don't see how anyone could research anything like accurate figures for this. Africa is such a big continent and there are so many remote corners to it, I would guess it's impossible to prove either way.

Anyway, just my 'umble opinion.

Figures for this year so far in Zimbabwe

(people killed)

Elephant 5

Buffalo 3

Croc 4

Hippo 16

Lion 1

Hyaena and snakes Nill reported

Lightning stikes 43 (Jan to april)

Don Heath did quite an extensive studdy in conjunction with Zambia and Mozambique in 1991

Interesting figures, and I'd be interested to know if the geographical locations have any significance. (Especially around Cahora Bassa), but does anyone conduct an Africa-wide survey rather than individual countries?



I can well believe that some countries may see more people killed by Hippo than all the other species combined, but I have my doubts that this would be the case on an Africa wide basis........ or indeed in Southern & Eastern Africa combined.

Can't swear to it, but I've read several times (and not just gossip columns) that in Arica total, Hippos kill more people than any other land animal, that crocs kill the most total, but not by much. Lions follow closely behind hippos, followed closely by elephants. It is also commonly stated that probably only about half the deaths are actually reported/recorded. (skeeters not included in count)

That's exactly what I mean. It seems to be one of those oft quoted statements that can't actually be traced back to it's origin........but I've never seen any scientifically proven statistics for it.

I'm not saying it's wrong, it may well be true. I'm just saying I've never seen any properly conducted survey that actually quotes figures etc. My suspicion is that when a Hippo kills someone it leaves pieces of them all over the place, but when a flatdog takes someone it leaves no evidence......and Africans being what they are, most deaths & disappearances probably go unreported anyway.

Yea, and at least a fair number of the hippo deaths are white folks, hence get reported. Probably most of croc deaths are the village ladies/girls going down to the river for water and never showing back up, hence no report.

I won't swear to it, but it seems to me that one place I read the info I mentioned above was in National Geographic, for what that's worth--still doesn't make it guaranteed fact.

Steve,

I originally read the hippo kill most in Africa in Man/Magnum. I don't have the issue here to check it, but you could get on to those rascals in Durban and ask them what their source is.

jim

A subpart of this question is also interesting:

What animal has the easiest task killing you once it decides that it is necessary and desirable?

Here terrain, stealth and cunning play more of a role than toughness and size. My uninformed guess is that an angry and motivated large feline is the equal of a Cape Buff when they both have good cover. If polar bears had ANY cover, they would win by a large margin... they have a very mean streak when upset, are quicker than a cat, kill with a single blow and will go after everyone in a party until stopped. In blowing snow you are TOAST.

Hi Steve

Until The wheels fell of law and order here 5 years ago we had pretty accurate statistics. Also I used to do alot of the PAC, for all species in the Zambezi Valley once a person was killed. All PAC operations by operators and parks are still logged especially as Hippo, lion and elephant are CITES apendix II and croc and leopard are appendix I and we need the figures.

Similarly, Dr. Brian Child set up a good reporting system regionally when he was head of CAMPFIRE in Zimbabwe. At the time he was Working with Glory Chunda from Zambian parks. Now Brian is up in Zambia perminantly and still running their community wildlife programme so the statistics are reasonable. Emmanual Kawadza is responsible for the statistics in Zim.

Sabo. The animals that kill most effectively are elephant. Not the bulls, they act alone, but the cows. Dennis Tom was watching the one infront when two hit him from either side. He was the last "pro" guide that I picked up the remains of but the operation is usually the same. One demonstrates ahead and one or more come from the side. In Jesse you cannot even see the side atack untill you have an elephant within 5 paces. 3 tonnes @ 40 mph @ 5m is bad news.

Buffalo are big, easy targets. Yes they are tough- much tougher than elephants but it is much easier to get a stopping shot in.

Personally, lion are the ones that really scare me. Too fast.

Damn, didn't know about Larium. I'm going to take a double dose this year. Think I can get an export permit for Andy?

Full body mount in my den, but the taxidermist may charge me extra for those ears!

I'd do a shoulder mount Will, he's got some pretty knobby knees! Then again, I'd be careful, Andy seems to always be on the lookout for hyena bait.