These are the animals people most want to see photographed

Globally, the love for wildlife photography is unmatched. A recent project has identified five species that photographers want most to capture on camera, with a focus on conservation efforts and raising awareness about the dire situation facing many animals.

The "New Big Five" was coined by British photographer Graeme Green in 2021, after a global vote where over 50,000 people participated. The five animals that topped the list are the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger – all threatened or endangered due to human activities such as habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change.

Green's initiative aims to inspire a sense of urgency about wildlife conservation by showcasing breathtaking images of these iconic species in their natural habitats. The book features photographs from 144 renowned wildlife photographers, including Ami Vitale, Steve McCurry, and Paul Nicklen. Essays by prominent conservationists like Jane Goodall also highlight the importance of rewilding and the role of indigenous communities in preserving biodiversity.

The project is more than just a photography competition; it serves as a warning about the alarming rate at which species are disappearing from our planet, according to the UN. Nature's decline has reached unprecedented levels, with around one million animal and plant species facing extinction.

Green believes that these images will inspire people to take action, not only by appreciating their beauty but also by sparking a desire to protect them. The book "The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife" was published on April 4, 2023, offering readers a powerful reminder of what we stand to lose if we fail to act.

As conservationist Jane Goodall notes in the afterword, there is still time for us to begin healing the damage inflicted on nature. The only way forward, however, lies in collective action and immediate decision-making.

I'm so done with humans ravaging our planet's wildlife It's like we're trying to outdo each other in a game of who can destroy the most ecosystems The fact that there's still time to act is terrifying, but at least this project "The New Big 5" is giving us a dose of reality and some gorgeous pics to match I mean, have you seen those elephant pics? They're stunning, but it's hard not to feel a pang of sadness thinking about all the habitats they've lost The thing is, we need to step up our conservation game pronto!

I've always been amazed by wildlife photography – it's like a window into another world . This new project, "The New Big Five", is really bringing attention to the struggles these incredible creatures are facing. I mean, who wouldn't want to protect an elephant or a polar bear? They're just so majestic and awe-inspiring .

It's heartbreaking to think about how many species are on the brink of extinction – over 1 million! That's just crazy. We need to take responsibility for our actions and make some real changes to slow down this decline. I'm glad there are people like Graeme Green and Jane Goodall out there raising awareness and inspiring others to care.

We all know how powerful images can be – they can spark something deep within us, you know? So if we show the world the beauty of these animals, maybe it'll also make them want to protect them. I think that's what this project is really about: raising awareness and inspiring change. Let's hope people take notice and start making some noise .

I'm so down with this project , it's amazing how photography can bring attention to these incredible creatures and the devastating impact we're having on their habitats. I mean, who wouldn't want to protect these majestic animals?

I love that Graeme Green involved 144 photographers and conservationists in this project – it's a powerful call to action for us all. We need more voices like Jane Goodall's, reminding us of the urgency we need to take. And I'm thrilled to see the focus on rewilding and indigenous communities preserving biodiversity .

We gotta acknowledge that nature is in crisis mode – 1 million species on the brink of extinction? That's just heartbreaking. But with this project, and others like it, we can spark a movement towards change. Every photo, every story, and every voice counted will help us make a difference .

Let's get behind conservation efforts and support these incredible photographers and activists. We've got to act now – for our planet, and for the future of these incredible animals

I'm so glad someone is finally bringing attention to the fact that we're literally killing off species at an alarming rate like, what's wrong with us?! We know about the impact of habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change, but still we don't seem to be doing anything about it. The "New Big Five" project is definitely a start, though - I mean, who wouldn't want to see stunning pics of elephants and tigers in their natural habitats? But for real, this project needs to be followed up with actual concrete conservation efforts. We can't just keep taking pretty pictures and expecting everyone else to fix the problem

I'm so worried about these amazing creatures ... it's heartbreaking thinking about all the harm we're causing them. I mean, can't we just chill and let wildlife thrive? We know what's gonna happen if we don't take care of our planet - entire species disappear forever! It's like we need some serious motivation to make a difference... and that photography project sounds like it could be exactly what we need. I love the idea of using gorgeous pics to inspire people to take action

OMG, you guys! I'm literally so done with how humans are treating our planet's wildlife rn . It's crazy that we even need a "New Big Five" list to raise awareness about the animals that are struggling to survive . I mean, can't we just be more mindful of our actions and think about the consequences on the environment? Like, those polar bears and elephants aren't gonna save themselves, you know?

And I love that this project is not just a photography competition, but also a call to action . We need more people like Graeme Green who are willing to share the truth about our planet's state and inspire others to take care of it . And can we please, for the love of all things wild, learn from indigenous communities and rewilding efforts? It's time for us to step up and make some real changes .

I mean, can you believe it? These iconic animals are already struggling so much due to human activities... it's crazy how fast things have changed . I love wildlife photography, and this project is just stunning - those photos of elephants roaming free in the wild give me chills . But seriously, we need to take action ASAP or we'll be losing species left and right . It's not just about appreciating their beauty (although, let's be real, it's breathtaking ), but also making sure they have a home to live in. I'm all for rewilding and supporting indigenous communities - every little bit counts . What do you guys think we can do to make a difference? Should we support organizations that work on conservation efforts or is there something individual we can do to help?

I'm getting so emotional thinking about these majestic creatures The fact that we're losing one million species at an alarming rate is just heartbreaking As a parent, it's hard for me to imagine a world without elephants roaming free in the wild or tigers playing in their natural habitats It's not just about the animals; it's about our planet and all the life that depends on it We need to take responsibility and act now to protect our wildlife before it's too late

I think its crazy how 50k+ people got to vote on which animals they wanna capture on camera! The new big five is def a reminder of what we're losin' if we don't step up our conservation game Theres some amazing pics in this book tho, cant wait to get my hands on it

I'm totally with Graeme Green on this one! It's crazy how much we need photography to bring attention to these incredible animals that are fighting for survival. I mean, have you seen the work of Ami Vitale? She's a total beast behind the lens! The thing is, when you see those photos, it's like... you can't help but feel this sense of responsibility to do something about it. Like, we're literally running out of time for these species. It's heartbreaking. But at the same time, I think this project is a great way to get people on board and inspired to take action. I mean, who doesn't love a good conservation story? We need more voices like Jane Goodall's in there, too - she's all about rewilding and giving indigenous communities the credit they deserve. Fingers crossed this project makes a real difference!

omg i'm like so down for this new big 5 project !! its so inspiring to see ppl comin together to raise awareness about wildlife conservation grame green is a total legend for coinin the term lol! but seriously tho, these pics are gonna make u wanna cry & go out and protect our planet's precious animals & im lovin the fact that indigenous communities r gettin the recognition they deserve jane goodall is like my spirit animal lol! lets all do our part to rewild & preserve biodiversity

I think it's awesome that there's a project like this to raise awareness about endangered species . As someone who loves photography, I've seen firsthand how breathtaking these animals are in their natural habitats . It's crazy to me that we're losing so many species at an alarming rate...one million and counting . I think it's great that the book features photographers from all over the world, because if we can inspire just one person to care more about wildlife conservation, then it's a success in my book . We need to start taking action ASAP, whether it's reducing our carbon footprint or supporting organizations that work to protect endangered species