Risk Factors for Injury from Wild Animals in the African Bush

Safe Tourist Behavior

Unsafe Tourist Behavior

sober

drunk or intoxicated

complies with safety rules

ignores safety rules

remains in secure vehicles with closed doors and windows

leaves secure vehicles; leaves doors or windows open

remains in fenced precincts

travels outside of safe areas

secures openings of tents or cabins at night

leaves doors, flaps and windows open or unsecured

approaches animals carefully

approaches animals aggressively

familiar with signs of animal aggressiveness and observant

ignores signs of animal aggressiveness

drives at times and locations determined safe

drives at dusk in regions with hippopotami or other large mammals

Animals with Low Risk

Animals with High Risk

healthy and free

ill, malnourished, wounded or trapped

adult females without young

female with young

nonaggressive males

aggressive males

herbivores

carnivores

territory respected

territory ignored

approached appropriately

approached unexpectedly or from the blind side

Tour Behavior with Low Risk

Tour Behavior with High Risk

guides adequately trained and familiar with territory

guides poorly trained and unfamiliar with territory

travel in groups

travel alone in unfamiliar territory

adequate emergency and evacuation plans

inadequate emergency and evacuation plans

adequate emergency communications

no means of emergency communication