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

A New Era for Wildlife Conservation: The Rise of the "New Big Five"

For decades, the term "Big Five" was synonymous with trophy hunting in Africa, referring to the five most challenging animals to hunt and kill. However, British photographer Graeme Green has given this phrase a new meaning by creating a global "New Big Five" for wildlife photography. The project aims to raise awareness about endangered species and inspire action to protect them.

In 2021, 50,000 people worldwide voted for their favorite animals to photograph or see in the wild, with five winners crowned: elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger. These iconic species are all threatened by habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and climate change.

The "New Big Five" photography book, featuring images of these animals and others at risk, has been published to coincide with this initiative. The book showcases stunning photographs from renowned wildlife photographers such as Ami Vitale, Steve McCurry, and Paul Nicklen, alongside essays from conservationists and activists like Jane Goodall.

Green's project is a call to action, encouraging people to focus on wildlife and think about the animals that are at risk. "I thought this would be a way to get people really focusing on wildlife, thinking about the wildlife they love, thinking about the animals that are at risk," he said in an interview.

The book also highlights the alarming threat of climate change to animals outside of the "New Big Five." Green notes that there are thousands of species facing extinction due to human activities. The project aims to raise awareness and inspire action to protect these species.

Jane Goodall, a leading conservationist who wrote the afterword to the book, emphasized the importance of taking action now to heal the harm inflicted on the natural world. "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" photography book is available for purchase from April 4, 2023, and features photographs from around the world, showcasing the beauty and majesty of these iconic species. By supporting this initiative, people can help make a difference in the fight to protect endangered wildlife and preserve the natural world for future generations.

The "New Big Five" is more than just a photography project – it's a call to action that encourages us to think about our relationship with nature and take responsibility for protecting the planet's precious biodiversity. By working together, we can make a difference and ensure that these incredible animals continue to thrive in the wild.

I'm all for this initiative, but let's be real, it's just a drop in the ocean when it comes to the scale of wildlife conservation issues we're facing . We need more concrete actions being taken by governments and corporations to actually protect these species and their habitats. Photographic campaigns and books are great for raising awareness, but what about the actual funding and resources needed to support conservation efforts? I'm excited to see what impact this project has, but we can't just rely on social media campaigns to solve this problem...

I'm not sure how long it'll take for people to start caring about wildlife again . The "New Big Five" is a good start, but I've seen similar initiatives fail before... like, remember when everyone was talking about saving the pandas? Yeah, didn't seem to make that much of a difference in the end . Still, it's cool that someone's taking on this project and getting people excited about photography again . The thing is, though, the real challenge will be turning that enthusiasm into action . We need more than just pretty pictures; we need concrete solutions to the problems these animals are facing .

I'm so down for this "New Big Five" project! I mean, who doesn't love wildlife photography? But seriously, it's great that they're shifting the focus from trophy hunting to conservation and raising awareness about endangered species. The book looks amazing btw

I think what I love most about this initiative is how accessible it is. Anyone can get involved and make a difference by voting for their favorite animals or sharing the photos on social media

It's also super inspiring to see people like Jane Goodall and Graeme Green leading the charge. They're proof that one person can make a real impact when they care about something enough

lol what's next is gonna be the "New Big Ten" ? just kidding sorta... but seriously, it's amazing how one guy's idea can spark such a huge movement! i love the fact that it's not just about the 5 species, but also highlighting the bigger issue of climate change and human impact on the environment. we need more people like Graeme Green who are willing to speak up and inspire action

omg i just got my new smartphone and i'm literally so excited but anyway back to this news thingy... i dont really get why they need a "new big five" its not like the old one was doing any good right? and what does climate change have to do with photography? i mean i love animals and all, but how is taking pictures of them gonna help save them?

I'm all for this "New Big Five" project, but gotta say, it feels like just another buzzword for me . Don't get me wrong, it's awesome that people are passionate about wildlife photography and conservation. But let's not forget that there are so many other animals at risk beyond these five iconic species . I mean, have you seen the numbers of endangered species out there? Thousands, right? So yeah, raise awareness is important, but we need more concrete action plans too . And what about the economic and social factors that contribute to habitat loss and poaching? Those are the ones that really need addressing . Still, I'll give Graeme Green credit for trying to get people excited about wildlife conservation . Maybe this "New Big Five" thing will inspire some change... fingers crossed

I'm not sure I buy into this "New Big Five" thing... I mean, what's next? Is it going to be some new trend where people start hunting (or photographing) endangered species just because they're trendy? I know the intention behind it is good, raising awareness and all that, but let's not forget that there are far more pressing issues at play here. Climate change, deforestation, pollution... these are the real threats to our planet, not some fancy photography project. And what's with the book? Is it just going to sit on some shelf collecting dust while the animals still continue to suffer in the wild?

the concept of the new big five is so fascinating it raises questions about what we consider valuable or worthy of protection... are we just chasing likes and followers with our wildlife photography obsession? do we truly care about the well-being of these majestic creatures or are we just trying to capture their beauty for social media validation?

i also think its interesting that the book highlights climate change as a major threat to species outside of the "new big five"... what does this say about our priorities as a society? are we willing to take drastic action to mitigate the effects of climate change, or will we just continue to sweep it under the rug? and what role can individual actions play in driving real change?

the project itself is a great start, but i wonder if its impact will be limited by our own biases and assumptions... are we truly looking at these species through the lens of conservationists and activists like jane goodall, or are we just seeing what we want to see?

I'm not sold on this "New Big Five" thing. I mean, it sounds great on paper, but is it just a marketing ploy to sell more photography books? I think it's cool that people are passionate about wildlife and all, but let's be real, we've been talking about conservation for decades now. What's new here? Is it really going to make a difference?

And don't even get me started on the climate change angle. It's just another excuse to guilt trip us into buying more stuff... I mean, "supporting conservation efforts". Come on, people. We all know that taking action to protect the planet is the hard part. The easy part is feeling good about it and buying some merchandise.

This "New Big Five" thing is kinda cool, I guess . I mean, I love wildlife photography, and it's awesome that Graeme Green is using his talent to raise awareness about endangered species. But at the same time, it feels a bit... obvious, you know? Like we've been talking about climate change and habitat loss for years, but nobody's really doing much about it . I just hope people actually start paying attention and taking action, not just buying books or attending events to feel good about themselves .

This "New Big Five" is literally giving me LIFE! I mean, who wouldn't want to focus on wildlife conservation? It's crazy how much awareness Graeme Green has brought to this issue with his global project and book. The fact that it's not just about the iconic five but also raises attention to the thousands of species facing extinction due to climate change is truly inspiring

I'm loving the collaboration between photographers, conservationists, and activists in this project. It's a beautiful way to highlight the beauty and majesty of wildlife while also highlighting the urgent need for action The message is clear: we have a limited window of time to take care of our planet and its incredible biodiversity.

Supporting initiatives like this is so important, especially with people from all over the world coming together to make a difference By spreading awareness and inspiring action, I'm confident that we can create a positive impact on wildlife conservation and preserve our natural world for future generations

I'm loving this new initiative by Graeme Green ! It's so important that we start thinking about wildlife conservation and the impact of our actions on the planet . I mean, have you seen some of the stunning photos from Steve McCurry and Paul Nicklen? They're seriously breathtaking!

But it's not just about taking pretty pictures – it's about making a real difference. We need to start taking responsibility for protecting endangered species and preserving biodiversity . It's crazy that there are thousands of species facing extinction due to human activities, but if we work together, I'm convinced we can make a change .

I love how the "New Big Five" project is raising awareness about climate change and its impact on animals beyond just these five iconic species . We need to be thinking about the bigger picture here and taking action to mitigate our effects on the planet.

Anyway, I'm definitely buying that book from April 4th – who's with me?

I'm totally stoked to see people getting passionate about wildlife conservation again . The "New Big Five" project is like, super important because it's not just about the iconic species like elephants and lions, but also about raising awareness for all the other animals that are at risk . I mean, climate change is like, a major threat to so many species, and we need to take action now or else they'll be extinct . The fact that Jane Goodall is on board with this project is like, huge . We need more people like her who are fighting for the planet's future . And honestly, I think it's awesome that Graeme Green came up with this idea and created a book that's all about inspiring action .

I'm low-key obsessed with this "New Big Five" thing ! Like, who wouldn't want to help protect elephants, polar bears, lions, gorillas, and tigers? It's crazy how much damage human stuff has done to their habitats and whatnot. I mean, climate change is a huge deal, right? We need more people like Graeme Green spreading awareness and encouraging us to take action. The pics in this book are insane, btw! Can't wait to see it on sale from April 4th, gonna support the cause for sure

I'm totally stoked about this new "New Big Five" wildlife conservation project . I mean, it's about time we shift our focus from trophy hunting to actually protecting these amazing animals and their habitats. The fact that 50k people voted for their favorite species to photograph or see in the wild is crazy – it shows there's a real interest in making a difference!

The book with stunning photos from top wildlife photographers and essays from conservationists is going to be a game-changer . It's not just about raising awareness, but also inspiring action and change. We need more people like Jane Goodall who are passionate about protecting the natural world and taking responsibility for our actions.

I'm all for supporting this initiative and getting involved in wildlife conservation . Every little bit counts, and by working together, we can make a real difference in preserving biodiversity and ensuring these incredible animals continue to thrive in the wild. Let's do this!

I mean, great initiative and all, but have you seen how hard it is to actually get a decent photo of any wildlife? Like, I was trying to take pics of birds at my local park last weekend and the stupid seagulls kept swooping down and stealing my food . Anyway, back to this "New Big Five" thing... 50,000 people voting for their favorite animals to photograph or see in the wild? That's a lot of work just to get all these different perspectives on one animal. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I do hope they're considering the logistics of actually capturing high-quality photos of these guys in their natural habitats... and also maybe some critique on the photographers themselves . The book looks nice though, I guess .

gotta say, this whole "New Big Five" thing is kinda a no-brainer. I mean, it's been obvious for ages that our planet's wildlife is on the decline. The fact that we need a photography project to raise awareness about it just highlights how messed up things have gotten .

Anyway, I love that Jane Goodall and others are using their platforms to speak out about this stuff. We need more people like them who are willing to get loud about the importance of conservation. And hey, if a book with sick wildlife pics can inspire some folks to take action, then count me in

I remember when wildlife conservation was all about safaris and hunting , now it's like they're trying to save our planet . I'm all for it, but can we please do more than just take pictures of animals? Like what are the actual plans in place to stop climate change and poaching? I mean, I know there's a book with some pretty cool pics , but that's not going to save the elephants or anything. We need real action, like people power and governments stepping up their game

OMG this is sooo inspiring!!! I'm all about supporting conservation efforts and this "New Big Five" project is like, totally on point! I love how Graeme Green has turned the phrase around and now it's about wildlife photography instead of trophy hunting. And can we talk about those animals? Elephants, polar bears, lions, gorillas, and tigers are all so majestic and deserving of our protection

I'm definitely buying that book! And I'll be sharing it with everyone I know to spread the word. Jane Goodall's words are so true, we need to take action NOW to heal the harm we've inflicted on the planet. It's not too late, but every little bit counts

I'm loving this initiative and I hope it inspires a whole new generation of wildlife lovers and conservationists! Keep shining, Graeme Green and team!