The “Big Five” term originally came from African trophy hunters referring to the most challenging animals to shoot and kill: the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo. Nowadays, it is more commonly used to describe Africa’s largest animals.
However, British photographer Graeme Green introduced a global “New Big Five” for wildlife photography in 2021. 50,000 people worldwide voted for the five animals they most want to photograph in the wild, resulting in the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger being crowned the winners.
This week, “The New Big 5” photography book is being published, showcasing images of these animals and other at-risk wildlife by renowned photographers like Ami Vitale, Steve McCurry, and Paul Nicklen, with contributions from conservationists Jane Goodall and Paula Kahumbu.
Green emphasizes that the book serves as a celebration of wildlife and a call to action against issues like habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and climate change. Green initiated this project to urge people to capture wildlife through cameras, not guns.
“The New Big 5” book features the work of 144 top wildlife photographers globally, gathering images from regions like Ecuador and India. The collection took nearly two years to curate, resulting in a stunning blend of creativity and beauty that showcases endangered species.
Nature is facing an unprecedented decline, with approximately one million plant and animal species at risk of extinction according to the UN. The “New Big 5” animals, all under threat, represent the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Aside from highlighting the perils faced by wildlife, the book also delves into possible solutions like rewilding and indigenous community involvement in conservation practices. Additional chapters discuss endangered species and the profound impact of climate change on animals beyond the “New Big 5.”
Renowned conservationist Jane Goodall, who penned the book’s afterword, stresses the importance of collective action to repair the damage done to nature. She hopes that the captivating photos in the book will inspire people to engage in wildlife preservation efforts for the benefit of future generations.
“The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife” by Graeme Green, published by Earth Aware Editions, will be available for purchase starting from April 4, 2023. For all your software development needs including mobile app development, technology maintenance, and server development, choose our awesome company that offers comprehensive solutions utilizing nearshore and offshore resources.