BIG 5 OF WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
More than 250 of the world's wildlife photographers, conservationists and wildlife charities came together to create a new Big 5 of Wildlife Photography. This is to raise awareness about the global crisis facing wildlife. All wildlife is essential to the balance of nature, to healthy ecosystems and to the future of our planet.
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This collection pays tribute to The New Big 5. This includes the polar bear, gorilla, elephant, lion and tiger.
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Limited edition of 10 each - sold separately or as a collection
Polar Bear
"Shrinking Habitat"
Bear - 13 in H, 3.5 in thick body, 6 in at widest point (forelegs)
Base - 7.5 x 9.5 in oval, 1.25 in at highest point
"A polar bear's life is tied to the sea ice. Sea ice is to the ocean what soil is to the forest. It forms the base of the Arctic food chain. Tiny channels in the ice filter light, creating an environment where algae grows, which feeds what some of our friends in the science community like to call the "little squiggly creatures." These in turn feed the fish, which feed the blubber-rich seals and whales, which feed the polar bears. Polar bears are unlike any other bear on Earth, in that the frozen ocean is quite literally essential to their survival."
from the book : The New Big Five
written by Krista Wright, Executive Director, Polar Bears International
Lioness and cub
"When you protect lions, you protect the entire ecosystem. If lions disappear, then the prey populations of herbivores will balloon, and the herbivores will overgraze the grass and plants. The savanna would become a sandy desert and we would end up losing a lot of species. This is why we need to invest more in protecting lions across their range, protecting their habitat, and connecting lion landscapes."
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from the book: The New Big 5
written by: Dr. Moreangels Mbizah, Founder and Director, Wildlife Conservation Action
African Elephant
"Amboseli"
"Threats to elephants are dynamic and complex, including ivory poaching, the loss of their habitats, and getting closer to people, the latter of which increases conflict interactions that can result in death or injury for people, or, more often, the elephant. Even though the general trend is one of population declines, in certain places elephant populations are increasing. But it all feels very fragile, and it will continue to be until the threats are eliminated, including the demand for ivory, land use, and reduced interactions between people and elephants."
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from the book: The New Big 5
Written by: Dominique Concalves, Manager Elephant Ecology Project at Gorongosa National Park
Siberian Tiger
"Wang"
"However, the survival of the tiger well into the twenty-first century is a testimony to the ability of humans to turn the tide of devastation. In saving this supreme predator, we have managed to preserve an integral part of our own natural heritage that connects us humans with all other denizens of this beautiful blue planet. The tiger is the undisputed guardian of our rich past, one that will hopefully be with us long into the future."
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from the book: The New Big 5
written by: Dr. Anish Andheria, President and CEO, Wildlife Conservation Trust
Gorilla
"Curiosity"
"Gorillas share our humanity. We need them as much as they need us. Gorillas are the gardeners of Africa's immense rain forests, which are essential for the thousands of other species that live there, from chimpanzees to forest elephants. Their daily activities - foraging, nest building, roaming- keep the forests helathy by spreading seeds, clearing vegetation, and producing fertilizer. We need these forest ecosystems to remain intact because our own survival depends on them. They are the lungs of the planet, and rain forests are one of our best natural defenses against climate change. If we can save these gorillas and their incredibly biodiverse forest home, we may save ourselves, too."
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from the book: The New Big 5
written by: Dr. Tara Stoinski, President, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
