The World’s Most Dangerous Animals in Danger Themselves
Man has always feared beast but we know that the most dangerous of beasts out there is our very own species. Some of the world’s most feared animals are now under threat themselves so I pay ode to some of these fearsome creatures that have come under attack simply because of their reputations as man-eaters.
Shakila Rajendra
Sharks
Attacking great white shark
The film Jaws probably had the most influence in shaping the public’s perception of sharks. Of course, sharks are definitely one of the most deadly creatures you will find in the sea and they are responsible for many human deaths. There are stories of surfers who have had their limbs chomped off or of rogue fishermen who have fallen overboard only to be devoured by a Great White. Any of these stories are enough to give us the chills whenever we take a dip in the ocean!
The truth is however that sharks are not nearly as responsible for as many human deaths as we imagine them to be. In fact, sharks can be accounted for less than 10 deaths a year, which is less than that of say, human deaths caused by bee stings or people who die of dengue fever caused by mosquito bites. Shark related violence can also be attributed a lot of the time to the fact that humans are the ones that put themselves in danger by either swimming too close to shark infested waters or hunting sharks.
Sharks are in fact, becoming one member of the ocean animal kingdom that are fast becoming endangered themselves due to shark hunting and demand for sharks’ fin, a common delicacy in Asian cuisine as it is believed that sharks’ fins have medicinal properties. In fact, the way in which sharks are hunted for their fins is more cruel than any death that a shark has caused to man. Most fishermen simply cut the fins off the shark while it is still alive and then tossed back into the sea, the shark is unable to swim or to breath and they are left to sink to the bottom of the ocean to drown to death. In comparison to the average of 10 deaths a year of humans caused by shark attacks, more than 100 million sharks die per year at the hands of humans either from being hunted for their fins or simply by being caught in fishing or shark nets. That’s certainly a huge ratio! It’s clear that as far as predators go sharks have more to fear from humans than humans have to fear of sharks!
Lions
Cecil the lion at Hwange National Park
The ‘King of the Jungle’ certainly has one of the most fearsome reputations among animals and as these big cats are not only strong and powerful but also savvy predators, humans definitely have much to fear if they were to come into contact with a lion. Just recently a lion tamer was mauled to death in front of an audience when the animal he was working with suddenly launched an attack on him. While these attacks may be isolated cases of lions in captivity, over 100 deaths a year are caused by lions living in the wild too. Many of these occur in Africa or in America where men fall prey to these big cats because they may have entered the perimeter of the lions’ habitat such as in parks or safaris. It is also known that the cats that do attack men are usually aging lions that are looking for easier targets such as man who may be easier to hunt!
Speaking of hunting however, the biggest hunter of these cat hunters are yep, you guessed it, man himself. One of the most talked about cases in the past year was the pointless killing of the beloved African lion named Cecil by an American dentist who spent $55,000 looking for the big cat before finding it and beheading it and gloating about it all over social media. The case sparked universal outcry but it still did not curb the rising interest in the hunting of lions. At least 600 lions per year are killed as a result of being hunted for sport in the USA alone. “According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, every year an estimated 600 lions are slaughtered for sport — and 64 percent of those are killed by American trophy hunters.”
To top it off, lions particularly in Africa are suffering from an increase in demand for their hides in the wildlife trade. The International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN) list of endangered animals puts the lion population under ‘vulnerable’ while in West Africa they are listed as ‘critically endangered’. This coupled with a loss of their habitat and prey have made them all the more vulnerable to the hands of men and their incumbent extinction.
Pit Bull Dogs
American pit bull
Man’s best friend are certainly the animal that live most closely to us but there is that one dog breed that incites so much fear in humans that to keep them is illegal in many countries. Pit bulls are notoriously the most ferocious dog breed and they have the most dog-bite cases attributed to them. In fact, pit bulls alone make up more than half (52%) of dog-related deaths since 1982 according to research done in the US.
It is clear that they are not a breed to be messed with from their stocky bodies and strong jaws and many countries including Denmark, Canada and New Zealand have banned them citing that this breed of dog are a danger to human life. Much of the pit bull’s ferociousness can be attributed to their genetic makeup which include certain unpredictability and tendency for aggression. Pit bulls also have a unique way of attacking called the ‘hold and shake’ bite style. Another reason for their tendency to attack could also be attributed to their breed simply being bred to fight. The pit bull’s history begins mostly in the dog-fighting pen.
Despite the bad rap that the pit bull has gotten, there are many advocates for the dog breed that attest that these dogs can be gentle and much of their bad behaviour can be credited to the environment in which they are in. A recent ban put on pit bulls in Montreal, Canada has come under protests from animal rights activists as the ban will ensure that many innocent dogs that don’t have owners or are abandoned will have to be euthanised. The mayor of the city says that this is a move to prioritize human life over that of dogs. While that can’t be disputed, culling an entire breed of dog, many of them innocent of their breed’s bad traits, is certainly a rather harsh solution to a problem. Further to this, there has been solid proof that the euthanising of this breed of dog has in no way curbed the problem of rising dog attacks. Again, the actions of humans toward an albeit dangerous animal has proven more dangerous than that of the animal.
SIDEBAR
Some of the deadliest animals in the world may not be the ones that you think! Here are just a few of the most dangerous creatures that put more people in danger each year than the ones I have listed above:
1) Mosquitos
Mosquitos are the world’s deadliest killer
These tiny pests are probably the world’s deadliest killer. Diseases like malaria and dengue fever are borne by mosquitos. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 725,000 people per year die as the result of mosquito-related diseases.
2) Bees
Bee stings can cause allergic reactions
Their honey may be good for our health but bees are still responsible for at least 50 human deaths a year as a result of allergic reactions to bee stings.
3) Crocodiles
Crocodile attack
You may think the most dangerous predator in the water are sharks but in actual fact, more than 2,000 deaths a year are caused by crocs. Crocodiles can traverse both land and water and have absolutely no fear of humans so they’re one to watch out for!
4) Jellyfish
Jellyfish claim more lives in the sea than sharks
If you’re thinking a shark may be the most dangerous animal in the ocean, think again! There is another unscrupulous animal lurking in the deep blue and they’re none other than the jelly fish. These cause over 200 deaths a year usually because those who suffer their sting drown before they can get to help.
5) Snakes
Cobras are the snakes with the highest human death toll
Snake bites can account for somewhere around 50,000 deaths per year and although they may not be the most venomous snake, the Asian cobra can account for most of these deaths as they are fairly common in tropical Asian climates.
More than 100 million sharks are killed in a year for their fins
Sources:
- www.time.com
- www.animalplanet.com
- www.list25.com
- www.thedodo.com
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/03/15/which-animal-kills-the-most-humans/
- http://anonhq.com/19-animals-kill-humans-every-year/
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Wow ..that’s scary and shocking. Can’t deny the fact that human are indeed the most terrifying species in the world. Unlike every other species on this list the vast majority of human killings are intentional, showing that appreciation of life needs to drastically improve.
Most of these animals are now facing extinction or nearing extinction due to man’s greediness. The rush towards wealth has out weight and causes this issue which we don’t realize now that it may belongs to one of our losses.
We should appreciate all living creature and hope that more people will be more compassionate and aware on our ecology.
https://bit.ly/3BLZzzS
Scientists had looking at long term, discovered that estimated about 100 to 10,000 species will be extinct soon if nothing is done. Could imagine from microscopic organisms to large plants and animals will go extinct each year. Animal such as sharks, lions, Pit bulls dogs and so forth as mentioned in this blog can become extinct when humans over hunt and over fish, pollute the environment, destroy habitats , and many others. Reading this post tells us more those world’s most dangerous animals are in fact in danger themselves. But the actions of humans toward those dangerous animal has proven more dangerous than that of the animal. Interesting read .
Thank you Shakila Rajendra for this sharing…..good knowledge . May more people are aware of the harm they are doing.
We should share with more people about this piece of article, to let more know about this fact; thus more awareness are able to be created; more helps are able to extend to these animals; or less cruelty are being done to them.
This is good article to bring out the awareness of how human cause the death of these animals where the animals are not capable to escape from the trap and captivity set up by human race.Thank you very much for sharing this article.
I have to agree that these animals extinction was mainly caused by human greed. Men are overpowering with their own demand until willing ferociously killing to appease their favor. More of these innocence beings not only prey by hunters, their meat, fur are also on demand. I think the animal welfare organisation should rule our law and heavy penalty for these ruthless hunters of their wrong doing.
Animals show love for humans! Cow, lions, apes, dogs, bears, parrots and more can all be very affectionate and show surprising emotions when it comes to expressing their love for people. An emotional animals hugging humans video.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1546455946.mp4
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche loves animals and is passionate against their harm, torture, and abuse.
The few minutes a day we spend on social media creating awareness for animals who cannot speak is purely spiritual and humanistic practice because we are trying to alleviate pain from another sentient beings and that makes us more spiritual, and that makes us more spiritual and more humane.
From this article I have learnt that some animals look very fierce and very dangerous to human but in fact they have been killed in a big number by humans. Actually some tiny pests are probably the world’s deadliest killer, example like: mosquitous diseases brings malaria and dengue fever and estimates 725,000 people per year die as the result of mosquito-related diseases.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
The 20th and 21st century are proof that the most dangerous animal on the plant are ‘humans’, who are not only the apex predators but so dominant that they could literally find all sorts of whale to enslave, bind or harm any creatures on this planet. From the largest of sperm whales to the tiny amoeba humans can conquer them all.
As more and more animals are driven to extinction from a variety human led activities, we might reach a stage of species extinction that humans could be in danger of being extinct. No one know where this danger state can be or when it is coming, but once that stage is reached humans might not be able to stop it anymore.
Human civilisation has indeed brought many dangers to other spies on earth. The number one of the list is shark. Due to the bad culture of Chinese who thinks eating the sharks fin is a sign of wealth, many sharks are kill. While other animals like lions are endangered because of land development.
It is important to educate people especially our next generation about such issues. Thank you Shakila for this informative article!
It is not correct to say that man always feared beast, though a beast, like sharks, are one of the most deadly creatures in an wide opened space like the ocean, where they live. Yet you find man going out into the ocean to hunt for them! But I do agree with you that sharks are not wholly responsible for as many as human deaths! Nor the causes of human deaths could only be related to other beasts or animals, no matter how wild or deadly they may be! Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda has once remarked, “If you want to live peacefully and happily in this world, allow others also to live peacefully and happily, so that you can make this World something, which is worthy of life. If you act according to moral principles by upholding human dignity, you can create your own heaven right here in this World. You can also create the hell-fire on this earth itself if you abuse valuable human life.” Compassion for all creatures and animals is the only way to create heaven on earth! Life is said to be the most uncertain thing in this World. At times, when we neglect this life for even a “split second” that is more than enough for us to lose our life. That is why we must always strife to extend our thoughts of kindness and love to all beings without exception. We must radiate goodwill to all beings, to be free from harm, suffering and pains! Om Mani Padme Hung.
After reading this article I was most affected by how sharks are being treated for their fins. Ever since I was young I have always been quite passionate about sharks and have always gone against how they are suffering just so people can have their fins. I have never drank shark fin soup in my life and I never plan to.
I try to spread this message to as many people as possible, mostly friends and family. One of the worst things about shark finning is that they leave the sharks to die in the water after they simply just slice their fins off. Sharks need to keep swimming in order to breathe. Its just how they work. They even swim while they are sleeping. So when their fins get cut off they are going through a very slow and painful death. Terrible.
Thank you Shakila states clearly with statistics human killed by some of the most “scary” animals vs these animals being killed cruetly by human.
We should share with more people about this piece of article, to let more know about this fact; thus more awareness are able to be created; more helps are able to extend to these animals; or less cruetly are being done to them.
Perception, imiginative dangers and greed can be very dangerous when it comes to driving us to do something hurt another being, our environment and ourselves.
I think human is more scary than animals because from the statistics, compare to human, there are more animal being killed by human for food or entertainment/sports. I hope more can help them by sharing with friends and family about this news to create more awareness.
Fear, greed, selfishness and power are what drives people to the extinction of these glorious animals. In other words, the real danger is human selfishness.
We should learn to co-exist and accept the nature of every being, dangerous or not. Adopting Buddha’s teachings are the best way to learn to be compassionate towards all sentient beings.
It is a hard decision sometimes to make when faced with a dangerous predator. Do we practice compassion for the cobra even as it is getting ready to strike at us? Do we sacrifice ourselves to the cobra just as the Buddha sacrificed himself to the lioness so that she could feed her cubs?
Or when we are swimming and come across a shark so we just let it take a bite at us as they are obviously looking for food and we so happen to be there? The reason being that the ocean is their territory and we are just interlopers?
Would that not be the same feelings of many who are out there killing these predators? Granted there are some who are killing for the financial gains that they stand to gain, but there are also those who do so because it is a means to feed their families. Sometimes, it is a difficult call to make.
So, what is the solution, if any to these questions? Where is the balance as the world population explodes?
It is true that sharks are one of the few deadly creatures that roam the earth. Even though they hold the ‘deadly’ title their very existence is threatened due to the demand for shark fins. Shark fin soup is a chinese dish which contains shark fin, it is believed to have health benefits although this has not been proven. Even though there is no proof that shark fin has health benefits people still eat shark fins.
I really hope that people will stop eating and buying shark fins. Because when the demand dies so does the trade.
Thank you, Shakila for writing this post. I didn’t know that Pitbull dogs are facing extinction. Some of the reptilian species like snakes, crocodiles, alligators are going extinct because of their skins are used to make hand bags, purses and etc. The blue specks macaw is also facing extinction. If men keep on hunting for those animals, in the future the new generation will only see these animals as a skeleton or in a preserved jar in a museum. Men should stop hunting because these animals are supposed to live in the wild and not in jars.
We should have compassionate thought as all of these dangerous animals deserve our respect. Human beings do not have a privileged to take other beings’ lives and it is better to lose one’s own life than to kill another being.
Thank you Rinpoche and Shakila for sharing this meaningful article.
Most of the time we will only say how dangerous and cruel the animals nature in killing or hurting human but we never thought that human kill them hundreds or thousand more times just so we can satisfy our taste bud and enjoyment.
Human are in fact more cruel and terrible as we will use and abuse animals without caring if animals will suffer or not.
Therefore creating awareness to love, care and not kill animals should be instilled since young. When we have a loving and caring society, we can sure help reduce unnecessary killing.
I find it hilarious that people name ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Animals”.
Why?
Because…
We KILL numerous of SHARKS just to get their fins and we throw them back into the sea.
We KILL numerous LIONS to tear their skins to cover our skins, we drink their blood, eat their flesh and we think it will make us stronger..
We KILL numerous dogs for their meat, for fun, and some of us hate them so much that we need to kill them all.
We KILL numerous mosquitos, because they sting us as our blood are their food source.
We KILL numerous bees, because we want their honey, we have man made beehive to want them to produce honey until they arr exhausted to die.
We KILL numerous Jellyfish because we want to eat them raw with seasonings as they have unique texture.
We KILL numerous snakes for skins to make fashion items like purse and shoes, their meat for soup and we consume their blood to strengthen our bodies.
We KILL numerous for their skin for handbags, their meat for BBQ and to cure asthma & coughing.
And what we get?
We do not need to worry if we would get revenge from the animals, we get nothing but what we wish for by killing them just to fulfil our wants and desires.
If the animals can write in a blog post to here , they will set us ‘human’ as the MOST DANGEROUS creature in the world.
It is very sad that the animal listed above are endangered. It is clear that us humans must take action before its too late. In future generations these animals might no be around and can only be seen in museums. Thank you for sharing
Thank you Shakila for writing and sharing the good article to bring out the awareness of how human cause the death of these animals where the animals are not capable to escape from the trap and captivity set up by human race. Ever since the technology advancement continues to scale to higher levels every year, human tend to recognize animals as products for food, entertainments and commodity rather than living beings who have the pulse beats, feelings, emotions and senses like normal human beings.
As more and more animals are being killed by human in an increasing statistic, hence more and more negative karma are being created and the cycles of cruelty, pain and sufferings continue to come back to human according to the law of karma (cause and effect) and in the end, our human race may receive back all the effects of killings and pain in the forms of strange diseases, natural disasters, outbreak, short lifespan or other forms of accidents.
I sincerely pray and hope that more and more people will become vegetarians and show compassion to animals by recognizing the animals are part of us in our ecology rather than products for human.
Thank you with folded hands,
kin hoe
Thank you Shakila for sharing this article. Undeniable, human indeed is the most terrifying species in the world. Animals only hunt for food, but humans hunt for pleasure, for sport, for fun. The more degenerate the world we’re living in, the more that humans lose their mind. It is because in the current society, humans don’t only hunt animals, in some part of the world, humans hunt men! For pleasure? For sport? We don’t know. I agree with Justin, real religion is the antidote I hope. Only with religion, human can learn about love, learn about karma, develop compassion and stop killing. I hope religion can be spread to rescue the current degenerated age. _/\_
Thank you Shakila for sharing this article. It is shocking to see the deaths caused by the world’s most dangerous animals. Although they are dangerous doesn’t mean human can put the blame on the animals and start to kill them. This is wrong. There is a saying “if you do not disturb others, they won’t attack u”. This is also applicable for these animals.
With folded palm,
Vivian
The nature will always strike back for whatever mankind has did to the nature, we exploited the nature incessantly, global warming is the results of our greed, and we are already start experiencing that now. So before it gets too late, please STOP harming the animals, cos eventually we will reap our own karma!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this. What I felt is that the one which is more scary and dangerous is actually humans. Just like the dangerous animals in the world, if uncontrolled, they can create havoc and danger to human life. We hear and read murders everywhere these days which leads me to think human do need help before they drop down to a new lower level of not able to perceive like a human being and start harming everyone. Real religion is something of an antidote I hope.