I'm not sure which was the most feared at the time- but many African animals were familiar sights in the games. Common European bears, dogs, horses and wolves were sometimes used - but the exotic was much more popular. Lions, panthers, leopards and occasional tigers were featured - as were buffalo, elephants, rhinocerous, zebra, gorillas, and chimpanzees and the notoriously vicious giraffe.
Here's your sword - we're gonna close this door now - go kill that herd of buffalo before they kill you. I can almost understand. But imagine attacking a giraffe with a sword and spear. Just to see the blood flow.
I know - it's a modern value judgement on history - against which I preach all the time - but still - Why?