Global photography project highlights endangered wildlife
- Published
![iberian-lynx.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1200/cpsprodpb/94BF/production/_129297083_antonioliebana.iberianlynx.statusendangered.ciudadrealspain.jpg)
A new project has brought together more than 165 of the world’s top wildlife photographers and conservationists. It aims to celebrate the beauty of the animal world, while also raising awareness of some of the big issues facing endangered wildlife.
![elephants.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1376/cpsprodpb/1401D/production/_129294918_berndtweissenbacher.africanelephants.krugernationalparksouthafrica.iucnstatusendangered.jpg)
As part of the project, people around the world were asked to vote for the five animals they’d most like to see photographed. More than 50,000 people had their say and the five top animals were elephants, polar bears, lions, gorillas and tigers.
![baby-chimpanzee.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1440/cpsprodpb/0B85/production/_129294920_thomasdmangelsen.chimpanzee.gombestreamnationalparktanzania.iucnstatusendangered.jpg)
Wildlife photographer Graeme Green put together a collection of pictures for the project, called 'The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife'.
![green-sea-turtle.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1040/cpsprodpb/469F/production/_129297081_aimeejan.greenseaturtle.statusendangered.ningaloomarineparkaustralia.jpg)
The idea is that endangered wildlife should be protected rather than hunted. The book also includes pictures of many more species from around the globe which are currently endangered.
![great-white-shark.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1200/cpsprodpb/E2DF/production/_129297085_chrisfallows.greatwhiteshark.statusvulnerable.stewartislandnewzealand.jpg)
Graeme hopes his book, which contains more than 220 images, will remind people of the beauty and diversity of the natural world and what could be lost if urgent action isn’t taken to protect our existing wildlife and the planet.
![african-lions.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1152/cpsprodpb/130FF/production/_129297087_graemegreen.africanlions.statusvulnerable.maranaboishoconservancykenya.jpg)
Graeme took this photo of lions which he says are his favourite animal to spend time with. He describes them as powerful animals which are symbols of strength, courage, and nobility.
![polar-bears.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1376/cpsprodpb/17F1F/production/_129297089_haojiang.polarbear.statusvulnerable.wapusknationalparkmanitobacanada.jpg)
Hao Jiang snapped this adorable image of twin polar bear cubs playing with their mother. The young polar bears rely on their mother for everything they need to survive in the Arctic.
![mountain-gorilla.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/946/cpsprodpb/EEFB/production/_129297116_markedwardharris.mountaingorilla.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.iucnstatusendangered.jpg)
Mark Edward Harris took a photo of this hungry mountain gorilla in Rwanda. He says their numbers are steadily increasing.
![bengal-tiger.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1200/cpsprodpb/13D1B/production/_129297118_thomasvijayan.bengaltiger.statusendangered.ranthambhorenationalparkindia.jpg)
This Bengal tiger was snapped in India. Photographer Thomas Vijayan says the tiger is one of his favourite animals to photograph and travels all the way from Canada to capture them.
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