The votes are in: a new quintet of creatures has been named the ambassadors for global wildlife conservation. Find out which species, and where to see them

Meet ‘The New Big 5’ of wildlife photography and find out how travel can help these endangered animals

Although many travellers think that the ‘Big Five’ refers to Africa’s most beautiful, most popular or largest wildlife, it’s actually an old term with a grim history. It was used by trophy hunters in Africa for the five most-prized and dangerous animals to shoot and kill: elephant, rhino, leopard, Cape buffalo and lion.

The New Big 5 project now has a better use for that term: to celebrate the animals that we share the planet with via photography. Launched in April 2020, the international initiative set out to create a new ‘Big Five’, this time of wildlife photography rather than hunting. Shooting with a camera, not a gun.

Created by British photographer Graeme Green, the project is supported by more than 250 global photographers, conservationists and wildlife charities. Among that illustrious number is Dr Jane Goodall, Chris Packham, Marsel van Oosten, Jonathan and Angela Scott, Levison Wood, Save The Elephants, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Polar Bears International, the Orangutan Foundation, and many more.

The project started with travellers from around the world being invited to vote on The New Big 5 website (newbig5. com) for their five favourite animals to photograph or see in photos. The results of the year-long vote have come in and been counted.the five animals chosen by the public for The

New Big 5 of wildlife photography are: elephants, polar bears, tigers, gorillas and lions.

The New Big 5 offers a different bucket list for travellers, wildlife lovers and photographers to experience in their lifetime, one based on life, art and creativity, rather than one that is rooted in hunting.visiting the places where The

New Big 5 animals live helps support local people and also the vital conservation work being done to protect these and other threatened species. All of The New Big 5 face serious threats to their existence and are listed as ‘Endangered’, ‘Critically Endangered’ or ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN’S Red List of Threatened Species. But they’re just the most visible tip of an iceberg, and part of the project’s aims is to shine a broader light on conservation efforts across the globe and of humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

“We now have the results of The New Big 5 project,” says Dr Jane Goodall. “These five animals – elephants, polar bears, gorillas, tigers and lions – are such remarkable species, and are wonderful ambassadors for the world’s wildlife, from iconic species to little-known frogs, fish and birds. So many face threats to their survival from issues such as poaching, habitat loss and climate change. A million species are at risk of extinction. If we work together, we can stop this happening.there is always hope. Change is possible if we each play our part.”