Today, the term “Big Five” refers to the beauty and power of some of Africa’s most iconic animals. However, it has a much darker history. Trophy hunters in the 19th century considered elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions, and rhinoceros the most sought-after animals in Africa due to the difficulty of the hunt.
Over the years, the excessive hunting and poaching of these animals has led to drastic declines in their populations. All of these animals are now considered Near Threatened, Vulnerable, or Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Keep reading to find out more about these legendary animals and their conservation status.
1. African Savanna Elephant

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African savanna elephants, Loxodonta africana africana, are the largest land animals. They can grow to be 10-13 feet tall, 19-24 feet long, and weigh as much as 15,000 pounds. In the wild, they live as long as 70 years. Except for central Africa’s dense tropical forests, they can be found in diverse habitats across sub-Saharan Africa. They typically live in families of around 10 females and their calves. Family groups sometimes join to form a large clan led by a female matriarch. The bulls are solitary animals and only stay with the herd during mating.
The IUCN has classified the African savanna elephant as Endangered. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates there are only around 400,000 remaining in the wild. In the past, hunting for ivory and meat was the primary cause of concern. Although illegal hunting is still a serious problem, habitat loss due to human encroachment and land conversion is the most significant threat they face today.
2. African Buffalo

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The African buffalo, Syncerus caffer, can reach up to five feet tall and eight feet long. They weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Both males and females have large, heavy horns, with the males’ being larger. They live in herds of 50-500 animals in habitats ranging from wetlands to forests to open plains across sub-Saharan Africa. The most essential factor is proximity to water. In the wild, their lifespan is around 20 years.
The IUCN considers the African buffalo Near Threatened. They estimate there are only around 400,000 mature individuals in the wild. One challenge is habitat fragmentation, which occurs when parts of a habitat are destroyed, leaving smaller, isolated areas. Another issue is frequent conflict with humans. They sometimes destroy crops, break fences, and spread disease to livestock. Their size and aggressiveness, not to mention the horns, make them dangerous.
3. African Leopard

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The African leopard, Panthera pardus, is one of nine leopard sub-species. They can reach six feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds. African leopards are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Habitats include forests, mountains, grasslands, and even deserts. They are nocturnal predators and adults are solitary except for mating. The average lifespan is about 10-12 years.
The conservation status of the African leopard is Vulnerable. There are currently no reliable estimates for population size. Some sources suggest it is around 700,000 individuals, but conservationists believe it to be significantly less. Some of the threats they face include excessive hunting for trophies or ceremonial use, conflict with livestock farmers, habitat fragmentation, depressed reproduction rates, and loss of prey base.
4. African Lion

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The African lion, Panthera leo, can grow to eight feet long and weigh up to 600 pounds. Lions are some of the most social of the big cats, living in groups of 2-30 called prides. While females will remain with the same pride for their lifetimes, mature males will leave to compete for their own prides. Lions prefer the open savannas of sub-Saharan regions, but they are very adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of habitats. Their lifespan is around 10-14 years in the wild.
The IUCN has classified the African lion as Vulnerable. The WWF lists their population as 20,000-25,000 animals. Some of the greatest threats they face include loss of habitat due to human encroachment, declining populations of their natural prey, and retaliatory killings arising from human conflict. Habitat fragmentation isolates populations, leading to inbreeding and rapid spread of disease.
5. African Rhinoceros

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The white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum, is the second-largest land animal. They can reach six feet tall, 10-16 feet long, and weigh up to 6,000 pounds. White rhinos are somewhat social, forming herds of up to 12 animals. The females and calves stay close together, but the bulls tend to be solitary. They primarily live in savannas, grasslands, and shrublands in southern African countries. They typically live from 35-40 years.
The IUCN considers the white rhinoceros to be Near Threatened. They estimate there are only around 10,000 individuals in the wild, but estimates from the International Rhino Foundation put that number as high as 17,000. In addition to habitat loss, poaching is a significant threat to the white rhino’s continued survival. Thousands of animals have been killed for their primary horns, which are in demand for medicinal use in Asia, and as ornamental dagger handles in Northern Africa and the Middle East.
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