Add this to your Bucket List — The New Big Five
I didn’t know about “The Big 5” list before my first safari in 2010. It’s an old term used by trophy hunters in Africa. Five large animals were considered the most dangerous and consequently the most prized: elephant, rhino, leopard, Cape buffalo and lion. Trophy Hunters slaughtered them by the thousands. As Jane Goodall says, “there are no words” for people who get pleasure from senselessly killing big game. These animals and their habitats are now at risk of extinction.
At the end of my first safari, I had seen all Big Five animals. I almost missed seeing the leopard hiding a tree outside of camp. Can you find the spotted cat in this picture?
I shot hundreds of photos in wild abandon when I first saw lions and elephants on a game drive. While the thrill never lessened, I began to slow down and take more time composing my images. I learned so much about animal behaviour through my viewfinder. I loved the challenge of trying to take a picture that had emotional impact and good composition.
I got closer whenever possible. Sometimes the animal came to me, like the heart stopping moment when a leopard named Fig and I locked eyes a few feet apart. You can read about the story behind that shot here.
In April 2020 British Wildlife Photographer, Graeme Green initiated a conservation project that put a new spin on the term “The Big Five”. His goal was “to raise awareness about the crisis facing the world’s wildlife from threats including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, illegal wildlife trade and climate change.”
Green, along with over 250 other wildlife photographers, conservation groups and wildlife charities came together to create a new list — “The Big Five of Wildlife Photography”. They launched a website with a list of critically endangered animals and issued a global invitation to the public to vote on The New Big Five.
The New Big Five website received more than 50,000 votes from wildlife lovers around the world for their favourite animals to photograph and see in photos. The winners were announced in in May 2021: Elephant, Polar Bear, Gorilla, Tiger and Lion. All these animals are facing severe threats to their existence and are listed by the IUCN either as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Each animal plays a key role in maintaining nature’s balance in their respective environments, making them excellent ambassadors for thousands of other species at risk.
I love this new list and the intention behind it. The New Big Five project emphasizes the critical point we are facing in earth’s history. The survival of all species is vital to the health of the planet and our future. The list motivates me to keep on photographing wildlife and telling stories that highlight the beauty of animals and why we need to protect them.
I’ve had the privilege of photographing 3 of the 5 animals on the New Big Five list in the wild. Lions and elephants in Kenya and tigers in India. I’d love the opportunity to photograph polar bears and gorillas too. Tourism funds a lot of conservation work around the world. When we witness the threats to wildlife, we are more inclined to care and to protect. Education is a key element in inspiring positive action. Every time I see images of The New Big Five, I’m encouraged to keep on speaking up for these majestic animals.
As a daily reminder of how much The New Big Five need our help, download this free image as a screen saver from my website.
