A New Lens on Wildlife: The "New Big Five" Takes Center Stage
The term "Big Five" was originally used to describe Africa's most elusive and challenging game animals, but for photographer Graeme Green, it's time to give these majestic creatures a new spotlight. Green has rebranded the concept as the "New Big Five," a global project that highlights the five most iconic and endangered species, with the goal of raising awareness about wildlife conservation.
The "New Big Five" includes the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger – all of which are threatened by human activities such as habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and climate change. This year marks the publication of a photography book featuring these animals, along with other at-risk species, shot by renowned wildlife photographers like Ami Vitale, Steve McCurry, and Paul Nicklen.
The book is more than just a showcase of stunning images; it serves as a call to action, urging readers to take part in efforts to protect endangered wildlife. Green believes that by highlighting the beauty and importance of these animals, people can become invested in their conservation. "We have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we have inflicted on the natural world," says Jane Goodall, who wrote the afterword for the book.
The project's global scope allows readers to gaze into the eyes of iconic species they may never encounter in person, but whose existence is in danger. A chapter dedicated to endangered animals outside of the "New Big Five" illustrates the alarming impact of climate change on biodiversity worldwide. Green notes that this is just a small sampling of the many species at risk.
As the world grapples with the challenges posed by human activities and natural disasters, the photography book "The New Big Five: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife" reminds us of the beauty and majesty of our planet's wildlife. It serves as an urgent reminder that it is not too late to act and that individual efforts can collectively make a difference in preserving these magnificent creatures for future generations.
The term "Big Five" was originally used to describe Africa's most elusive and challenging game animals, but for photographer Graeme Green, it's time to give these majestic creatures a new spotlight. Green has rebranded the concept as the "New Big Five," a global project that highlights the five most iconic and endangered species, with the goal of raising awareness about wildlife conservation.
The "New Big Five" includes the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger – all of which are threatened by human activities such as habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and climate change. This year marks the publication of a photography book featuring these animals, along with other at-risk species, shot by renowned wildlife photographers like Ami Vitale, Steve McCurry, and Paul Nicklen.
The book is more than just a showcase of stunning images; it serves as a call to action, urging readers to take part in efforts to protect endangered wildlife. Green believes that by highlighting the beauty and importance of these animals, people can become invested in their conservation. "We have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we have inflicted on the natural world," says Jane Goodall, who wrote the afterword for the book.
The project's global scope allows readers to gaze into the eyes of iconic species they may never encounter in person, but whose existence is in danger. A chapter dedicated to endangered animals outside of the "New Big Five" illustrates the alarming impact of climate change on biodiversity worldwide. Green notes that this is just a small sampling of the many species at risk.
As the world grapples with the challenges posed by human activities and natural disasters, the photography book "The New Big Five: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife" reminds us of the beauty and majesty of our planet's wildlife. It serves as an urgent reminder that it is not too late to act and that individual efforts can collectively make a difference in preserving these magnificent creatures for future generations.