Remembering Leopards: Book Paves the Way to Protecting an Iconic Species
The eighth book in the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series aims to raise vital funds to protect leopards around the world.
The fundraising photography book series has donated over $1.3m USD (£1m GBP) to protect endangered wild animals.
Its latest book, Remembering Leopards, will be published on 9 October 2023, with an official launch on 11th October at the Royal Geographical Society, London, and a free exhibition of images from the book from 11-15 October at London’s Gallery@Oxo.
The hardback coffee table book is a collection of 80 stunning colour images taken by many of the world’s top wildlife photographers, including Marsel van Oosten, Art Wolfe, Frans Lanting, Greg du Toit, and Michael Poliza.
“Our mission is not only to celebrate leopards but to raise urgent awareness that they are in decline and to raise funds for those working to protect them,” says Margot Raggett MBE, Founder and Producer of Remembering Wildlife.
The photographers have generously donated images to help protect leopards in the wild. This year’s cover image was taken by Mark Dumbleton.
The book sets out to raise awareness of the plight facing leopards and to raise money to protect them, and features eight leopard sub-species (African, Amur, Arabian, Indian, Indochinese, Javan, Sri Lankan and Persian), as well as snow and clouded leopards.
Raggett said “With their sheer beauty, aloofness and agility, leopards are coveted by photographers and safari-goers alike – there is something mesmerising about them that wins hearts the world over.
“And yet, because of human actions, the global leopard population and distribution is in decline and they are now believed extinct in 23 of their 85 original range countries.
“Leopards have vanished from at least 40% of their historic range in Africa and over 50% of their historic range in Asia.
“In addition to the threat of climate change and human-wildlife conflict, leopards also fall victim to the illegal wildlife trade – they are highly prized for their beautiful skin, as well as bones, teeth, and claws.
“I’m grateful to all the photographers who have willingly donated their work to this book and to raise awareness and funds. It is only through working together that we can win.”
The foreword for the book is by Dr Luke Hunter, Executive Director of Big Cats Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, who said: “Remembering Leopards reminds us of what is at stake. When you look upon the glorious cats on these pages, be assured that it is not too late to save them. Don’t let Remembering Leopards become an epitaph.”
The afterword is by ‘The Big Cat People’ Jonathan & Angela Scott, who likens the “allure and beauty” of leopards to “as if the Gods had smiled on you”.
Speaking alongside Margot Raggett MBE at the official launch event for Remembering Leopards at the RGS will be acclaimed big cat and wildlife photographer Steve Winter and Dr Vidya Athreya, Director and Head of Science and Conversation at WCS-India, member of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group.
To order your copy of Remembering Leopards, head to their website, where you can also find out more about Remembering Wildlife and the projects they have already funded.
