Kiawah’s Big Five
A
By Tina Schell
nyone lucky enough to have been on an
African safari will recognize the term “Big
Five.” There, it refers to the elephant, lion, Cape
buffalo, rhinoceros, and leopard. Originally
the name was developed to designate the most dangerous
and challenging animals to hunt on foot. Eventually, it was
adopted by marketers and tour operators to attract customers
interested in African wildlife observation and photography.
On Kiawah, we have our own Big Five, a group of truly
iconic creatures sought by residents and visitors alike.
According to Kiawah Resort’s Nature Center staff, based on
the creatures most often requested by guests, they include
the dolphin, bobcat, American alligator, loggerhead sea
turtle, and painted bunting. Not surprisingly, each has been
extensively covered in previous issues of Naturally Kiawah, as
well as in several other island publications. So what’s a writer
to do? How, I