A recent poll asked what you considered Africa's most dangerous game. Most replied the Cape Buffalo. True, the Cape Buffalo isn't called Black Death for nothing. However, between the 4 choices: Lion, Elephant, Cape Buffalo or Leopard, Hippo wasn't listed. Do you realize Hippo's kill more people per annum than any other large animal in Africa? Although pushing between 4,000 to 6,000 pounds, an adult Hippo can outrun human's (18-25 mph) and in water we have little to defend ourselves. Hippo's, especially dominant males are extremely territorial, and will attack unprovoked. One bite from those massive tusks is usually enough to kill a man. But getting back to the original "Dangerous Four" I chose the Elephant because it has no real natural predators. In short, it's afraid of very little, certainly not humans. An adult African Elephant stands up to 13 feet tall and can push the scales at over 12,000 pounds....that's 6 tons of "stomp your ass into a mud hole" beast. A friend of mine with many years of professional hunting experience was nearly killed by a charging Elephant recently (shown last weekend on Tracks Across Africa). This bull had two large caliber slugs in it's head (both missing the brain) and several flanking side shots (my friend put two .450 3 1/4" slugs into it's vitals). Still this bull ran off and when my friend tracked him up in some thick brush and trees, he charged with the camera rolling. The first shot to the brain was a little low, but right behind the first shot was the second (my friends life was saved because of his double rifle) shot and it brained the bull. My friend had to quickly step back 4 paces to avoid being crushed by the falling behemoth. My point is: most Lion's/Leopard's will flee upon the site of humans. (wounded cat's are a different story). Buffalo will run from the mere smell of human scent (again a wounded Buffalo can be extremely dangerous). But an Elephant is subject to charge without provocation. Just the scent of a human can cause an immediate charge. That's why your PH carries his "stopping rifle" most of the time and the Game Scout carries an AK-47 usually (more to shoot poachers but in an emergency, charging game...if the Scout stands his ground). Elephants won't be stopped by thick brush, small trees (they can push over large trees), or termite mounds. They are like crackers to a charging Elephant. It only takes one well placed shot from a .375 caliber to stop an Elephant but how many can stand tight and make that shot? A Leopard will tear you up, but one of my friends killed a 90 pound attacking female this year with his bare hands. No choice, he had no weapon on him. Twenty seven cuts and one bite to the buttocks, but recovered fine. Leopards will try and cut up everyone in the party and are faster than a blink of an eye. Lion's usually maul and bite if they can get to you, and they will pick out one person and stay fixed on killing that person. That's why you stay frosty when hunting Simba, but he can be stopped without using a cannon. Cape Buffalo are tough as hell, but competent PH's will be at the ready to stop any charge. Nothing to blow off, but they are easier to stop than a mad, screaming Elephant; cow or bull. Just my observations of being there many times. Ask 10 PH's and probably 7 out of 10 will tell you they fear a wounded Leopard most of all. Best stay frosty when looking for Mr. Spots in the bush. Good hunting, David

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