“I’ve been to Africa more times than I can count, but every time I see a lion I feel like a little kid again. Nothing makes me feel so truly alive as being near these awe-inspiring beasts. But it’s not just their majestic appearance that fills me with such great wonder. Behind those fiery eyes, there’s also a soul – an individual with emotional needs and a rich, spiritual depth, just like us.

That goes for all animals. If people could see that, I think the respect for our fellow species, which we’ve lost, would be much bigger. If people could understand that when we are talking about animals, we are talking about living, sentient beings, I think our taste for destruction would be much less. 

I have a very close relationship to lions, making them my Number One in my New Big 5 list. It goes back to that spiritual connection. About 15 years ago, I had a personal crisis in my life. I went to South Africa to get away from it all. I’ll never forget one moment where I feel I had a connection with a lion. Something started to change after that meeting with that lion. My whole life turned around after that meeting. It was a very emotional moment.

Going back to lions, seeing lions and photographing lions, always just really fulfils my heart. This animal has more of an emotional level than any other animal.”

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My Big 5

Lion
Snow Leopard
Polar Bear
Gorilla
Tiger