Big Five to become Big Seven: News24: SciTech: News

yanna 6/23/2009 10:15:04 AM

oh goodie, then the big game hunters can target them as well and we will have even less of these animals.
yipee. humans suck.

Gerald 6/23/2009 10:37:08 AM

The major attraction of the big 5 is it uniqueness to Africa. Sharks and whales are everywhere

JHM 6/23/2009 10:49:37 AM

Why dont we add the Mamba as well ?

Jumbo 6/23/2009 10:56:12 AM

Oh Come on guys.............do you even know where the BIG 5 comes from?
Since when have sharks and whales been dangerous game to hunt......??
The BIG 5 are the 5 most dangerous animals to hunt! leave it at that.......BIG 7 is just silly!?!

KW 6/23/2009 11:10:34 AM

This really is pathetic! Something really (South) African being changed. Market Whales and Sharks - thats fine - but why include them in the big 5 list. What a stupid idea!

Melo-Drama 6/23/2009 11:14:11 AM

The World's gone Mad I tell ya. I scheme they're bored, perhaps hoping to increase Tourism... except as mentioned above whales and sharks are everywhere!!!

Vic 6/23/2009 11:24:47 AM

If they really want to make a toruist attrraction out of whales and sharks, why don't they have a oceans big 5. Adding whales and sharks are like adding cats and buck. The already eastablished big 5 are specific animals. Or are they thinking about when they have to make R500 and R1000 notes.

Teli 6/23/2009 11:29:07 AM

Gerald got it right, the big 5 are unique to SA. Add Robin Island to that list :P

Denzel 6/23/2009 11:30:37 AM

I think its stupid. when I was growing up and went to the bush I was always told its lucky to see the big 5 in 1 day.

Richard 6/23/2009 11:38:19 AM

Another brilliant idea by the powers that be, have they managed to figure out how we can spot all seven in the middle of Kruger?

Marcel 6/23/2009 11:41:15 AM

Jeez you guys suck.. Its about the tourist attraction. Why alwys so nagative??? GO save whales or something. Jubmo if so why isn't the Hippo there?? By far the most lethal human killer out there.

Jason 6/23/2009 11:42:10 AM

Totally ridiculous, no one will take notice of it anyway. It will never catch on.

Ben 6/23/2009 11:50:54 AM

I agree with Jumbo. The whole idea is stupid.

Tanjerine 6/23/2009 11:53:38 AM

I went to Gansbaai to dive with the sharks at Christmas and was appalled at the over crowding of the boats, the R1250 charge which clearly does not go towards the conservation of these animals or to the upkeeping of the mangy, worn and torn wetsuits. Not to mention that one operator still wanted to take us out on a boat which the engineer had stated was not working properly. Add on the fact that the rest of the world already knows that Hermanaus and Gansbaai are famous for these 'attractions' well just how incompetent can our Government continue to prove themselves to be??

Tim 6/23/2009 12:06:06 PM

The only Big 7 reserve will be Addo. All of the inland Big 5 reserves will lose their "Big" status. This is silly. Can't anyone appreciate sharks and whales without them being added to the "Big" group?

ricky bobby 6/23/2009 12:19:17 PM

this actually is ridiculous!! the big five is unique to sa dammit! thats the point.... why dont we just instead of having leopards s part of the pic five just make it cat, instead of eliphant and rhino just make it pachydermata (rhino elephant and hippo). then also add large cattle or game. that way we can stioll have the big five only for DUMMIES: cat, shark, whale, cow, pachyderm. this is a serious stuff up of tradition, ridiculous. theis is like an attack on SA's heritage... im pissed.

Q 6/23/2009 12:19:24 PM

This is too low even for an April Fools joke! What do sharks and whales possibly have in common with the Big 5? And if they do change it, I doubt it will catch on very quick.

D 6/23/2009 12:29:12 PM

I dunno Jumbo, I'd rather be hunting a rhino in the open bush than a great white shark in the open water...

Laughing 6/23/2009 12:39:57 PM

Agree with everyone else - why stop at 7? Why not put everything that SA has to offer on the list?

Will 6/23/2009 12:41:32 PM

another great stupid idea...WOW

Barry 6/23/2009 1:45:05 PM

Add the Baboon as well. After all, that is how many politicians act. Then add parliament in the tourist brochure as the 'premium spot to watch baboon activity"

Karen 6/23/2009 1:56:36 PM

Each grouping has a "big 5" - i.e. the top 5. From birds to animals to trees to plants, etc. I see our 'wonderful leaders' cant pick a top 5 for sea creatures - ag shame. Also - which shark and which whale? We can't just add them all!!! Get a brain!

nicole 6/23/2009 2:02:17 PM

I hope this helps to protect these animals from ruthless whale and shark fishermen!!!

Rob 6/23/2009 2:09:48 PM

Well...the correct definition of the 'Big Five' refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot. Try hunt a whale or shark on foot.

I hate to say it, but it appears that our new environmental affairs minister has her head in the sand.

Shark diving is a great tourist attraction, but it requires 'chumming' to attract the animals closer to the shore. Closer to the casual bathers and surfers. More tourists wanting to see all the 'big 7' means more chumming. This might need some more thought as I cant see it being sustainable.

Janna: that's why there are game farms. Not to be confused with conservation parks :)

Netsai Ghwoto 6/23/2009 2:35:46 PM

what a stupid idea hahaha

Chris 6/23/2009 2:54:19 PM

What a stupid idea! The Big 5 is about hunting 5 unique African animals. What shark and whale species are they going to add because there are hundreds, with not one which is unique to Africa. They are animals found all over the world.

The Minister clearly doesn't know what the term 'Big 5' really means and implies and hasn't thought her 'great idea' through! Hope someone intervenes before a great part of African heritage is spoiled...

DW 6/23/2009 3:42:37 PM

I thought the whole idea of the BIG FIVE was they where only found on our continent, this sucks as the Shark and Whale are found in all the oceans so whats so unique about them, SA is known for its BIG FIVE and now they want to change that too... to me it will always stay the BIG FIVE.

dave 6/23/2009 4:05:30 PM

WHEN DID THE WHALE BECOME A PREDATOR?

Ronell 6/23/2009 4:15:15 PM

I agree with Rob when he stated, I hate to say it, but it appears that our new environmental affairs minister has her head in the sand

Basie 6/23/2009 11:07:31 PM

Is this a JOKE? Must be!

Rocket scientist 6/23/2009 11:34:16 PM

"Sonjica said South Africa had significant numbers of species in the top ocean predators such as the shark and the whale."
The whale a "top" ocean predator?, thought most species ate plankton, mind you, there was Jonah...

CayCoo 6/24/2009 7:17:35 AM

AAARGH!!! IDIOTS!!!! What's next?

Gary 6/24/2009 9:56:06 AM

"come to Kruger Park where you can see the big 7"

I think not, this is just bloody stupid....*slaps forehead*

Rich 6/24/2009 10:20:49 AM

This idea of our Environmental Affairs Minister of changing the Big 5 to the Big 7 is absolutely absurd and ridiculous! They clearly haven't thought this one through.
Big 5 refers to land animals!!! I have a question for them: How will a park like Kruger National Park or any inland Game Park or Game Range market the Big 7 and how can they benefit from this?

If this is a move driven by tourism, I reckon tourists will leave many places dissappointed with a checklist of at least two out of seven animals not seen.

The Big 5 is also a big deal for hunters. How will any big game hunter ever get to hunt a shark or a whale?

The list of why this is a very bad idea is endless!!! There are other methods of marketing these ocean creatures.

PLEASE GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!!

DIEDS 6/24/2009 10:38:53 AM

WTF Where do they get all this stupid ideas.
Leave things that worked for so long alone.

EXPAT 6/24/2009 12:53:52 PM

Please, please, Please. I have to work with people from other nationalities daily and hate it when this kind of embarrassing behaviour has to be shown to all and sundry. Control the politicians, I want to come home one day.

dru from Cali 6/24/2009 7:01:44 PM

Having been to beautiful SA before, I would definitely return, but cage diving with White sharks would play a huge role in that decision. I've been on safari in Kenya and seen White sharks in Guadalupe Island...but neither destination offers a chance to do both. Throw in the great people and charm of Cape Town? Yes, please.

Louise 6/24/2009 9:06:55 PM

This idea realy sucks

Lynette 6/29/2009 8:21:07 AM

As far as I know SANParks and other conservation organisations are trying to minimise the "Big 5" idea and rather promote biodiversity and species richness instead. A more holistic experience, rather than focusing on a few animals!