![The Fear Humans Instigate in the African Savannah Surpasses That of Lions, Researchers Find 2 LionessRoaringCloseUpOfHeadSideOn](https://i0.wp.com/theubj.com/uae/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LionessRoaringCloseUpOfHeadSideOn.jpg?w=1170)
The king of the jungle, with its imposing strength, keen vision, formidable reflexes, and powerful jaws, might seem the ultimate predator in the African savannah. Indeed, the fact that lions band together to hunt makes them formidable adversaries for most other creatures.
“Considering that lions are the largest group predators on land, one would assume they are the pinnacle of fear,” says Western University’s conservation biologist Michael Clinchy remarks made in 2023.
However, extensive surveillance on the African savannah, involving more than 10,000 wildlife recordings, revealed that 95 percent of the species show a surprisingly greater amount of terror at the sound of another being. The culprit of this widespread fear is not another apex predator, but rather humans.
Indeed, we are the monsters of the animal kingdom’s nightmares.
“Fear of humans is deep-seated and widespread,” Clinchy further explains. “There’s a misconception that animals will become accustomed to humans if they’re not actively hunted. Our findings debunk this myth.”
A study published last year, led by ecologist Liana Zanette from Western University, involved playing various sounds to animals at waterholes within South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park and observing their reactions.
Notwithstanding being in the largest stronghold of the lion (Panthera leo) population in the world, the other mammals of the park are more acutely aware of the danger that humans pose.
The research team broadcast sounds of human dialogue in local languages such as Tsonga, Northern Sotho, English, and Afrikaans, as well as noises associated with human hunting activities, like barking dogs and gunshots. Lion vocalizations were also played.
“We made sure to use sounds of lions in a communicative state, not roaring—a direct comparison to the humans’ conversational sounds,” Clinchy notes.
However, not all subjects appreciated the experiments alike.
In one instance, an elephant was so enraged by the lion recording it destroyed the entire camera setup, Zanette shared.
Remarkably, almost all of the 19 mammal species monitored were twice as likely to flee from waterholes due to human voices compared to lion sounds—even when those included hunting cues. The mammals observed ranged from rhinos to warthogs, many of which are formidable in their own right.
Despite this, humans’ fear-inspiring presence rarely deters us from determining the fate of these creatures, whether it’s hunting mammoths or handling dangerous modern animals.
Humans, identified as the deadliest species on earth, have undeniably earned the palpable dread they inspire in other beings, as echoed by certain research findings.
The study team clarifies that it is particularly the sound of human speech that invokes the most fear, inferring that wildlife recognizes humans as a distinct and primary threat. This is in contrast with other disturbance noises, such as barking dogs, which are seen as less harmful.
Given the omnipresence of humans, wildlife is bound to regularly encounter such fear triggers, which doesn’t bode well for the declining populations of many savannah species, including giraffes. Prior research by the same team indicates that the constant state of fear alone can lead to a reduction over generations in prey animal populations.
However, the insights from this research could also offer benefits for conservation efforts. By using the sound of human conversations in areas prone to poaching, conservationists hope to deter and thus protect the endangered Southern white rhino.
Zanette concludes, “The depth of fear throughout the savannah mammal community attests to our significant environmental impact. It’s not just through the conventional issues like habitat loss, climate change, or species extinction. Merely our presence in their environment is a strong enough signal to incite an intense level of fear.”
This study was documented in the journal Current Biology.
The original version of this article was released in October 2023.
FAQ Section
What species in the African savannah showed the greatest fear response?
It’s not a particular species, but humans that instill the greatest fear across various mammal species in the African savannah, as observed in the study.
How did researchers determine that animals feared humans more than lions?
Researchers played sounds of humans and lions at waterholes in the Greater Kruger National Park and recorded the reactions of the animals. The greater likelihood of animals fleeing at the sound of human voices compared to lion sounds provided this insight.
Can animals in the savannah habituate to the presence of humans?
According to this study, fear of humans is pervasive among savannah mammals, and they do not habituate to human presence as once believed.
Could the research have positive implications for conservation?
Yes, the knowledge garnered from this research could help keep endangered animals like the Southern white rhino away from poaching areas by using human voices as a deterrent.
What was the methodology of the research?
The researchers played recordings of human conversations, human hunting activities, and lion vocalizations near waterholes and observed the behavioral responses of various mammal species.
Where was this research published?
The research findings were published in the journal Current Biology.
Conclusion
The realization that humans invoke a deep-seated fear even greater than that of lions among the savannah mammals emphasizes the extent of our impact on wildlife. This powerful influence humans wield, often unintentionally, calls for a more mindful interaction with our natural surroundings. The study not only sheds light on a pervasive fear but also offers a potential strategy for conservationists to protect endangered species. As daunting as these findings are, they can hopefully lead to more effective measures to ensure the safety and survival of the diverse species that share our planet.