There’s set to be a new ‘Big Five’ and you can choose the animals

A common goal of anyone endeavouring to go on a safari is to see the ‘Big Five’: lions, buffalo, rhinos, elephants and leopards.

But a group of wildlife experts have asked the public to redefine the Big Five, as the current round up was based on the toughest five animals on the African continent for colonial hunters to shoot and kill.

The New Big 5 project, which includes support from 100 of the world’s leading wildlife photographers, conservationists and wildlife lovers, wants to create a new list of five animals for shooting with a camera, not a gun.

The public can get involved in the initiative, too, by voting for the five animals they would most like to photograph in the wild on their travels.

In a statement, the initiative says: “We want the New Big 5 project to focus attention on the world’s incredible wildlife and the urgent need to act together globally to save these animals, our planet and ourselves. On the New Big 5 website, there will be podcasts and interviews, as well as articles on wildlife issues, from habitat loss to the illegal wildlife trade. We’ll also be producing a free Education Fun Pack for young people to download, including jokes from Russell Kane, Milton Jones and more.”

The project has plenty of high-profile backers, including primatologist Dr Jane Goodall, adventurer Levison Wood, photographer Ami Vitale and actress Joanna Lumley. It also has support from organisations like Save The Elephants, WWF and Greenpeace.

Dr Jane Goodall says: “What a great project the New Big 5 is. I wonder what the final choices will be? There are so many incredible animals in our world, all fascinating in different ways. Any project that brings attention to animals, so many of whom are threatened or endangered, is truly important.”

As well as encouraging the public to cast their vote, the initiative hopes to raise awareness of the crisis currently facing our world’s wildlife. It says: “The next 10 years are critical. More than a million species are currently at risk of extinction, from elephants, cheetahs, orangutans, lions and polar bears to ‘unsung heroes’ and little-known species, each too valuable to lose.”

The results of the New Big 5 are expected to be announced later in 2020.

For more information and to vote, visit newbig5.com