The Big Five Animals: What They Are and Why They Matter

The Big Five Animals are the African lion, African leopard, African elephant, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo. The term refers to the five most difficult and dangerous African animals to hunt on foot, not the five largest species. Today the phrase is more commonly associated with wildlife conservation and safari tourism, and all five can be seen at Tom Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife in Farmington, New Mexico.

The Big Five Animals continue to capture people’s attention because they represent some of Africa’s most recognizable wildlife. Although the phrase began as a hunting term more than a century ago, it has taken on a different meaning today. For many people, seeing the Big Five is about education, wildlife photography, and conservation.

If you would like to see all five species without traveling to Africa, Tom Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife offers that opportunity. The Museum displays each of the Big Five in carefully designed habitat exhibits that show their true size and presence. Plan your visit to see all five in one place. Admission is free and visits are by appointment.

What Are the Big Five Animals?

Key takeaway: The Big Five animals are the African lion, African leopard, African elephant, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo. The name refers to hunting difficulty, not body size.

The Big Five animals, also written as the “Big 5”, are:

• African lion
• African leopard
• African elephant
• Rhinoceros (black and white rhinoceros)
• Cape buffalo (African buffalo)

These five species are native to sub-Saharan Africa and have become internationally recognized symbols of the continent’s wildlife. One common misconception is that they are the five largest animals on the continent. They are not. Animals such as the hippopotamus and giraffe are larger than some members of the Big Five.

The term “Big Five” was originally used by professional hunters to describe the five animals considered the most difficult and dangerous to hunt on foot. Today, the term is widely used by conservation organizations, wildlife photographers, safari guides, and museums to educate people about these remarkable species and the importance of wildlife conservation.

For more background on the history of the term, see the Wikipedia article on the Big Five game.

Why Are They Called the Big Five?

Key takeaway: The Big Five earned their name because they were historically considered the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Today, the phrase is more closely associated with wildlife education, viewing and conservation.

The phrase “Big Five” originated in the late nineteenth century during Africa’s colonial era, when professional hunters used it to describe the five game animals that posed the greatest danger to humans during a hunt on foot. The designation had nothing to do with body size. Instead, it reflected the combination of strength, speed, unpredictability, and the ability of each animal to defend itself.

Each species presented a different challenge. Lions and leopards are apex predators capable of ambushing prey. African elephants are intelligent animals that can charge when threatened. Rhinoceroses have poor eyesight but can run surprisingly fast over short distances. Cape buffalo are well known for defending themselves aggressively and have a reputation for charging without warning.

As wildlife conservation gained momentum during the twentieth century, the meaning of the phrase began to shift. Modern safari operators now use “Big Five” to describe the five most sought-after animals for wildlife education, viewing and photography rather than hunting. The emphasis has moved toward protecting wildlife, preserving habitat, and encouraging responsible tourism.

Another example of this changing perspective is the New Big 5 Project, launched by wildlife photographer Graeme Green in April 2020. After a year-long public vote, the elephant, lion, tiger, gorilla, and polar bear were announced in 2021 as a new group representing wildlife education and photography rather than hunting.

Tom Bolack earned recognition for completing the traditional Big Five during expeditions to Africa in the mid-twentieth century, when wildlife populations were significantly larger than they are today. At Tom Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife, these specimens now serve as educational exhibits that encourage visitors to think about wildlife conservation, preserving habitat and the importance of protecting species for future generations.

For additional historical context about international trophy hunting, the Congressional Research Service provides an overview.

Meet the Big Five

Key takeaway: Every member of the Big 5 is now listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (“IUCN”) as Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Near Threatened. Habitat loss and poaching are the two pressures shared across all five.

The five animals differ enormously in size, behavior, and habitat, but they share a common trajectory. Populations that were abundant a century ago are now managed, monitored, and in most cases declining. Here is what defines each one.

African Lion

The African lion (Panthera leo) is Africa’s largest carnivore. Adult males typically weigh between 330 and 550 pounds and live in social groups called prides, which usually consist of related females, cubs, and one or more adult males.

Lions are currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated wild population of roughly 22,000 to 25,000 adult and juvenile individuals. One of their most recognizable characteristics is their roar, which can travel as far as five miles across open grasslands.

African Leopard

African leopards are solitary, highly adaptable predators found in forests, mountains, grasslands, and savannas. Adult males generally weigh between 80 and 165 pounds and spend much of their time hunting alone, often at night.

Leopards frequently drag prey into trees to protect it from scavengers such as lions and hyenas. Although leopards remain widespread across Africa, habitat loss, illegal hunting, and conflict with humans have contributed to declining populations. The IUCN currently classifies the leopard as Vulnerable.

African Elephant

African elephants are the largest living land animals. Adult males can weigh between 10,000 and 13,000 pounds and live within close family groups led by experienced female matriarchs.

Elephants are known for advanced communication, long-term memory, and problem-solving abilities. Scientists have also documented tool use and cooperative behavior among elephant herds.

In 2021, the IUCN separated African elephants into two species for conservation purposes. The African savanna elephant is listed as Endangered, while the African forest elephant is Critically Endangered. Despite their enormous size and feet that can measure more than four feet in circumference, elephants walk on the tips of their toes.

Rhinoceros

Two rhinoceros species represent this member of the Big Five: the black rhinoceros and the white rhinoceros.

Black rhinos are listed as Critically Endangered, with roughly 6,800 remaining in Africa as of the most recent continental survey. White rhinos are classified as Near Threatened and number around 15,750, although the northern white rhinoceros subspecies has only two surviving individuals, both female.

Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same material found in human hair and fingernails. Illegal poaching driven by demand for rhino horns remains the greatest threat to both species, despite decades of international conservation efforts. The IUCN publishes regular status reports on African rhino populations.

Cape Buffalo (African Buffalo)

The Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large herbivore that can weigh between 1,300 and 2,000 pounds. These animals travel in herds that may include hundreds of individuals and are known for their strong defensive behavior.

Cape buffalo have long been considered one of Africa’s most dangerous large mammals because they often stand their ground when threatened and may charge unpredictably. Researchers have documented herds working together to defend injured members and even driving lions away during coordinated group responses.

The species has been listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN since 2019 because of habitat loss, disease transmitted from cattle, and hunting pressure.

The IUCN Red List provides the most current conservation assessments for all Big Five species.

Where to See All Five Under One Roof

There is one place in the United States where all five members of the Big Five stand together in permanent habitat exhibits: Tom Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife at the B Square Ranch in Farmington, New Mexico. Most articles on this subject assume a trip to Africa. This one does not require a passport.

Each specimen is positioned at its actual living height, allowing visitors to appreciate the true scale of these animals in a way that photographs often cannot capture. The African elephant is the exhibit visitors remember most. The mount is displayed at the height it stood when alive, giving a much better sense of just how large the world’s biggest land mammal really is. The lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo are displayed alongside other specimens arranged by geographic region, which helps visitors understand how the Big Five fit within a much broader collection.

Tom Bolack completed the Big Five during hunting expeditions in Africa in the mid-twentieth century when populations of these animals were considerably larger than they are today. The museum now presents these specimens within a broader educational mission focused on wildlife, habitat conservation, and the importance of preserving species for future generations.

Tom Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife houses approximately 2,500 specimens from six continents, making the Big Five a part of a much larger collection that appeals to families, students, photographers, and anyone interested in natural history.

See all five of Africa’s Big Five under one roof at Tom Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife in Farmington, New Mexico. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain Time. Admission is free and visits are by appointment. Call 505-325-4275 or visit the visitor information page to schedule a guided tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Big Five animals?

The Big Five animals are the African lion, African leopard, African elephant, rhinoceros (including both black and white rhinoceros), and Cape buffalo. The term originally referred to the five African animals considered the most dangerous and difficult to hunt on foot. Today, the phrase is more commonly associated with wildlife conservation, photography, and safari tourism. Visitors can also see all five species together at Tom Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife in Farmington, New Mexico, where permanent habitat exhibits help explain each animal’s biology, history, and conservation status.

Why are they called the Big Five?

The phrase “Big Five” dates to the late nineteenth century and was coined by professional hunters during Africa’s colonial period. It refers to the five animals that were considered the most dangerous and difficult to hunt on foot because of their strength, speed, unpredictable behavior, and ability to defend themselves. The name has nothing to do with the animals’ physical size. Today, safari guides, conservation organizations, museums, and wildlife educators use the term to encourage appreciation for these iconic African species rather than hunting them.

Are the Big Five animals endangered?

Every member of the Big 5 faces conservation pressure. African lions and leopards are classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). African savanna elephants are Endangered, while African forest elephants are Critically Endangered. Black rhinoceroses are Critically Endangered, and white rhinoceroses are Near Threatened. Cape buffalo have been listed as Near Threatened since 2019. Habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal wildlife trade continue to affect populations across Africa, making sustained conservation work essential to the survival of all five species.

Where can you see the Big Five without going to Africa?

One place to see all five Big Five animals in the United States is Tom Bolack’s Museum of Fish and Wildlife, located on the B Square Ranch in Farmington, New Mexico. The museum displays the African lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo in natural habitat exhibits that present each animal at its actual living height. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain Time. Admission is free and visits are by appointment. Call 505-325-4275 or visit the visitor information page to arrange your visit.

What is the “New Big 5”?

The New Big 5 Project was created by wildlife photographer and conservationist Graeme Green and launched in April 2020. Instead of focusing on hunting, the initiative encouraged people around the world to vote for the five animals they believed best represented wildlife photography and conservation. More than 50,000 people voted, and the results announced in 2021 named the elephant, lion, tiger, gorilla, and polar bear. Two animals from the original Big Five, the elephant and lion, also appear on the New Big 5 list. The project reflects the growing shift toward wildlife protection and environmental education.

What is the difference between the Big Five and the Little Five?

The Little Five are a group of small African animals whose names resemble those of the Big Five. They include the leopard tortoise, buffalo weaver, rhinoceros beetle, elephant shrew, and ant lion. Wildlife organizations and safari guides often use the Little Five as a fun educational activity that encourages visitors to pay attention to smaller species alongside Africa’s famous large mammals. Some tourism organizations have also created informal groups such as the Big Seven, which adds the great white shark and southern right whale, and the Ugly Five, which highlights lesser-known African animals.