Don't feel bad for them, they are just pixels hehe. (From the culture I come from, we have been advised to even feed insects like ants, let alone hurt innocent animals)
If an animal notices you, it tries to run away almost all the time. Even big animals like Lions try to flee, but when they are cornered or feel too threatened, they jump on you or, in the case of buffalo, try to hit you with their head. The game features contact damage, so if it comes into contact with you, it will inflict forces that drain your health and potentially cause death. It respawns you at the nearest safe house. But thankfully, all your progress is saved. Even the animals you killed stay on the ground to be harvested after your death.
These reserves are based on popular biomes in specific areas. There is one based in Spain as well. You can hunt the animals in their native environment and know more about them. For example, there is one based on Nepal set in the Himalayas. They feel like the real landscapes. I have been to the Himalayas a few times, and the game really captured the beauty of it. I can't tell you how accurate other maps are, but other players say it is not too far from real places.
I have learned a lot about these places and the animals that live in those places just by playing this game. There is a catalogue of all the information about a specific species, on what they like, how good their senses are, etc. It is a good way to learn for sure.
Thank you for the support. !LUV
Yeah I know they’re pixels but look so real! Wow, so the game is faithful even in the reactions of the animals, what a blast. The normal thing is that they always flee. It's very good that progress is preserved, I hate seeing a "game over" and having to start over. I have looked for the reserve of Spain and it seems very well done from what players here think. Learning by playing is the best.