'Manimal', the most dangerous animal

Back in the days when man lived in caves, gathered fruits, and hunted animals as the primary source of protein, many animals were considered very dangerous. Man labeled carnivores such as lions, tigers, leopard, wolf, and bear, man-eaters. Many herbivores like the elephant, buffalo, hippo, rhino, inspired a mixture of fear and awe. Reptiles such as crocodiles and snakes completed the list of man’s most feared natural enemies. Mankind lived in perpetual fear, and would only venture far from the safety of their enclosures in groups. Stone age weapons like clubs, sticks, spears, bow and arrows are readily deployed to protect man at the very minimal sighting of these ‘dangerous’ animals.

Later, man discovered agricultures, fire, and metal. They tamed some of the not so dangerous animals, stepped out their caves. Since then things have never been the same. In stepping out of the caves, man began a process of progressive and rapid expansion. Forests were leveled to make way for the expanding population. The first victims of this expansion and the attendant deforestation were of course the now hapless animals. The retreating forest exposed several animal species to the rampaging man. Confrontations between these two always end in favour of the ruthless, armed and dangerous man.

With advancement in science and technology came better weapons and tools. Man the most adapted ‘animal’ transcended his mental evolution beyond survival. Man ceased the fear and awe of those hitherto ‘dangerous’ animal. In some instances, wild, and untamed animals, herbivores and carnivores alike, now take to their heels at the sighting of humans! Man became a terror, a savage beast, hunting animals not just for food, but for sports, ornamentals, and pleasure! He wipes out the competing animals at his whims and caprices. How soon the tide turns!

Man is everywhere! From the driest desert of the Sahara, to the deepest of the Amazon jungle; from the North to the South Poles, man’s footprint can be found. Even in the deepest of seas, and high up in the sky, man’s footprint can be found. Man’s footprints all over the face of the earth, is not just about survival, but also exploration and exploitation.

The activities of man continue to create smaller and smaller space for the diminishing animal population. The once simple, feeble, fearful, cave man, has eventually become, the ultimate predator; the most dangerous animal on earth, a terror to other members of the ecosystem. Man has slowly but surely morphed into what is now termed – ‘Manimal’’. Man the animal!

A wildlife documentary presenter once spoke on behalf of several endangered animal species, when she asked: “Fifty year from now, will animals look back and say indeed man was once the great ape.” Of course, that is from the evolutionist point of view. The creationist and bible scholars would probably ask: “Fifty years from now, will the animals look back, and say with satisfaction, that was the same man that God took us to, to be named. The one God trusted to take care of us!”