Just over a century ago, there were more than 200,000 wild lions living in Africa. Today, there are only about 20,000.

Lions have undergone a catastrophic decline and are on the brink of extinction in all but the largest and best managed national parks. They’re already extinct in 26 African countries and have vanished from over 95 per cent of their historic range. 

The species is threatened by the illegal bushmeat trade, habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable trophy hunting, and human-wildlife conflict with local people due to the real or perceived threat lions pose to livestock.

“Lions are one of my favourite animals to photograph and to spend time with. It’s impossible to imagine Africa without lions. As well as being wildlife icons and remarkable animals, they’re also vital to the natural balance and the future of Africa.” (Graeme Green, photographer and founder of the New Big 5 project)

“The New Big 5 is a brilliant idea. A Big 5 from the photographic point of view is one more brick in a wall that we’re constructing to save many of the creatures around the Earth.” (Art Wolfe)

Have you voted yet? Vote for the 5 animals you want to be included in the New Big 5 project HERE.

The New Big 5 project is creating a New Big 5 of wildlife photography, rather than hunting. Shooting with a camera, not a gun. The project is supported by more than 150 photographers, conservationists and wildLife charities, including Dr Jane Goodall, Ami Vitale, Moby, Nick Brandt, Thomas D Mangelsen, Djimon Hounsou, Save The Elephants, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, African Wildlife Foundation and Polar Bears International. Find out more HERE.

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Photos by:

Angela Scott: www.jonathanangelascott.com / @thebigcatpeople

Yaron Schmid: www.yswildlifephotography.com / @yswildlifephotography

Marina Cano: www.marinacano.com / @marinacano

Marsel van Oosten: www.squiver.com / @marselvanoosten

Carole Deschuymere: caroledeschuymere.com / @carolewildlife

Graeme Green: www.graeme-green.com / @graeme.green

Marco Gaiotti: @marcogaiotti_naturephotography

Anja Denker: @wild.anjadenker

Elie Wolf: eliewolf.com / @eliewolfphotography

Graeme Purdy: www.purdy.photography / @graemepurdy   

Priyanshi Bachhawat Nahata: www.wildographs.com / @priyanshi.wildographs

Vladimir Cech Jr: www.photocech.cz / @vladimir_cech_jr

Gurcharan Roopra: gurcharanroopra.com / @gurcharan

Alessandro Beconi: www.alessandrobeconi.com / @beconialessandro

Steve Winter: stevewinterphoto.com / @stevewinterphoto

Nelis Wolmarans: www.neliswolmarans.com / @neliswolmarans

Anette Mossbacher: anettemossbacher.com / @anette_mossbacher

Stephanie Klarmann: stephanie-emmy.myportfolio.com / @our_african_voyage

Antonio Liebana: www.antonioliebana.es / @liebanafot

Chris Schmid: schmidchris.com / @schmid_chris

David Lloyd: davidlloyd.net / @davidlloyd

William Fortescue: www.willfortescue.co.uk / @willfortescue

Clement Kiragu: www.clementwild.com / @clement.wild

Seyms Brugger: www.seymsbrugger.com / @seyms_brugger

Greg du Toit: www.gregdutoit.com / @gregdutoit

Shibu Preman: www.shibunair.com / @shibu.preman

Usha Harish: www.ushaharish.com / @usha.harish

Charlie Lynam: www.charlielynam.com / @charlielynam

Sergio Pitamitz: www.pitamitz.com / @SergioPitamitz

Sebastian Kennerknecht: www.pumapix.com / @pumapix

Michel Ghatan: www.michelghatan.com / @michel.ghatan

Lance van de Vyver: www.lancevandevyver.com / @lancevandevyver

Piper Mackay: www.pipermackayphotography.com / @piper_mackay

Michel Zoghzoghi: www.mz-images.com / @michel_zoghzoghi

Debashish Dutta: www.fromdawntodusk.in / @fromdawntodusk_india

Staffan Widstrand: www.staffanwidstrand.se / @staffanwidstrand