‘The New Big 5’: Wildlife photography book turns the lens on animals at risk | CNN

A New Generation of Conservation: The "New Big Five" Takes Center Stage

In a bold move, British photographer Graeme Green has reimagined the term "Big Five," traditionally used to describe the most elusive game animals in Africa. Green's vision is not for hunters but for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists worldwide. The "New Big Five" refers to five majestic creatures that need our attention: elephants, polar bears, lions, gorillas, and tigers.

The initiative was born out of a chance encounter during Green's assignment in Botswana over a decade ago. He envisioned a project that would encourage people to capture the essence of wildlife through photography rather than hunting. The idea quickly gained momentum, with 50,000 people from around the globe voting for their favorite animals to photograph or see photographed in the wild.

The "New Big Five" photography book, featuring works by renowned wildlife photographers and essays by conservationists like Jane Goodall, has finally hit the shelves. The book showcases stunning images of these iconic species, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. Green's vision is not only to raise awareness but also to inspire action towards preserving our planet's precious biodiversity.

The statistics are alarming. According to the United Nations, one million animal and plant species are facing extinction due to human activities. The "New Big Five" serves as a powerful reminder of what we stand to lose if we fail to act. However, it also offers hope by pointing to potential solutions, such as rewilding and the importance of indigenous communities in conservation.

The book's publication coincides with a growing recognition of the need for collective action to protect our planet's natural heritage. Green's initiative serves as a call to earth, urging us all to take responsibility for preserving the beauty and diversity of our world. As Goodall so eloquently puts it, "We have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we have inflicted on the natural world, but only if we get together and take action now."

"The New Big Five: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife" by Graeme Green is available for purchase from April 4, 2023. This story has been updated to reflect the range of issues covered by the book.
 
I'm so stoked about this new gen conservation effort 🌟! I mean, think about it, we're redefining what "Big Five" means and it's not just about hunting, but about protecting these incredible animals for future gens to enjoy 🐘🐻🦁🌳🐯. It's amazing how a single photographer's vision can inspire 50k ppl to take action and get involved 🤩. And can we talk about the book? It's like, we need more of this kind of awareness and education in our lives 💡. I'm totally hyped that it's not just about raising awareness, but also about giving us hope and solutions for the future 🌈. One million species on the brink of extinction is a scary stat, but if we can work together to protect them, I know we can make a difference ✊️.
 
🌟 you know what really got me about this "new big five" thing? its not just about these specific animals but about the bigger picture, our relationship with nature and how we treat it 🌿. i mean think about it, one million species on the brink of extinction is like a ticking time bomb, but its also a wake-up call for all of us to take responsibility for our actions 💥. its not just about photography or conservation, its about us as humans and how we fit into the ecosystem 🌳. so yeah, let's get behind this initiative and make some positive change 🙏
 
OMG I'm so hyped about this 🤩! The idea of having a new generation of conservation in mind is literally amazing, especially with the "New Big Five" concept 🦁🐯💪. I think it's super cool that Graeme Green took a chance on an idea and made it happen – 50k people voting for their fave animals to photograph or see photographed? That's just incredible 🤯! The book is supposed to be epic, featuring stunning images from wildlife photographers & essays from conservationists like Jane Goodall... I'm low-key hoping to get my hands on a copy ASAP 📚💡
 
🌳 I'm low-key obsessed with this new conservation thingy! It's so cool that they're rebranding the whole "Big Five" vibe to be more about wildlife enthusiasts and conservation, not hunting 🙅‍♂️. Like, I've seen some amazing pics of these animals in my time, but it's never felt so important until now 📸. The fact that 50k people voted for their fave animals is wild! What's crazy is how many species are gonna go extinct due to human stuff... one million 🐠💀. But hey, if a book can inspire some action towards preserving our planet's biodiversity, then count me in 🌎💚
 
can't believe how much we're losing in terms of wildlife 🐘😔 i mean, one million species are on the brink of extinction... it's like, what are we even doing? i love that Graeme Green is trying to change the narrative from hunting to conservation tho 💕 his photography project is a great way to raise awareness and inspire people to take action 📸🌟 gotta support more initiatives like this btw 👍
 
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