This Article (The 19 Animals That Kill The Most Humans Every Year) is free and open source. Almost 80% of all deaths in 2017 occurred in 17 countries in the WHO African Region and India. Not all are meat eaters, however, as there are recorded cases of a spider which eats nothing but seeds. That’s an average of 2.18 deaths a year, making this cause of death WAY more likely than shark attacks. (The number of airline-related fatalities varies from year to year, but a figure of 1,200 deaths per year is a reasonable average.) African elephants, especially older bulls and young males, can be aggressive even when they’re not provoked. Most deaths occur by the elephant trampling their victims to death. The donkey … All spiders are venomous. Estimated deaths, 2010–2017 In 2017, it was estimated that 435 000 deaths due to malaria had occurred globally, of which 403 000 deaths (approximately 93%) were in the WHO African Region. Most human deaths occur when the victim gets between the hippo and deep water or between a mother and her calf. The hippo is extremely aggressive, unpredictable and unafraid of humans, upsetting boats sometimes without provocation and chomping the occupants with its huge canine teeth and sharp incisors. It’s unlikely you’ll bump into an elephant outside of a protected wildlife reserve, but when you encounter this 12,000 lb beast, things can potentially get ugly. South Africa’s top 10 deadliest animals While it is difficult to obtain precise numbers of fatalities, here is a list of ten animals that cause the most human deaths in South Africa. #24 – Jellyfish Jellyfish can claim the lives of up to 40 people each year. Of course, there aren't any reports of death by Hippo on urban streets. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with …