"The gruff hippopotamus is ... found wherever there is water to float him; whilst the shy giraffe and zebra affect all open forests and plains where the grass is not too long; and antelopes, of great variety in species and habits, are found wherever man will let them alone and they can find water. The lion is, however, rarely heard — much more seldom seen. Hyenas are numerous, and thievishly inclined. Leopards, less common, are the terror of the villagers. Foxes are not numerous, but frighten the black traveller by their ill-omened bark."
John Hanning Speke

January 1, 1970

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Original Language: English

Sources

Introduction (p. xxiv)

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Hanning_Speke