Remembering Lions: Hilary Hann features in Remembering Wildlife series photography book

Most people do not realise the world’s majestic lions are endangered. A new book — featuring an Aussie photographer — hopes to change that. SEE THE PHOTOS

Australian photographer Hilary Hann’s haunting image of a lion in a tree is one of the highlights of the book. Picture: Hilary Hann/Remembering Lions

Exclusive: They are the majestic animals facing threats ranging from human conflict to hunting — and most people do not realise they are endangered.

A new fund-raising book featuring images from the world’s top wildlife photographers aims to raise awareness of the frightening plight of lions and funds to protect them.

Remembering Lions is the brainchild of Margot Raggett, the tireless campaigner and founder of Remembering Wildlife.

Kenyan photographer Clement Kiragu captures an unforgettable moment in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Picture: Clement Kiragu/Remembering Lions

The coffee table book is the fourth in the hugely successful Remembering Wildlife fundraising book series, which have together raised over $911,000 for conservation projects.

Celebrities including Russell Crowe, Natalie Imbruglia, David Campbell and Osher Gunsberg have thrown their weight behind the cause.

There are only around 20,000 lions left in the wild and many people don’t realise that they are endangered.

Lions at play in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Picture : Richard Peters/Remembering Lions

They face threats ranging from habit loss and human conflict through to being caught in snares designed to catch bush meat and also hunting.

Adelaide photographer Hilary Hann is the only Australian whose work is featured in the book.

Ms Hann, who is passionate about conservation and runs safaris in Kenya for tourists interested in wildlife photography, told News Corp she was thrilled to be “giving something back” by participating in the project.

She spent her formative years in Uganda and Kenya and regularly returns to photograph animals.

Australian photographer Hilary Hann’s haunting image of a lion in a tree is in the book. Picture: Hilary Hann/Remembering Lions

“I feel like I owe big debt to wildlife and I wanted to give something back to the animals — as well as the local people — instead of just taking everything,” she said.

Ms Hann’s contribution to the book — which along with the other photographers was voluntary — is a stunning image of a male lion sitting in a tree, which, she says, is an unusual sight.

She told News Corp she was struck by the lion’s vulnerability when she spotted him.

One of Hilary Hann’s previous images of a lion. Picture: Hilary Hann

“He was the saddest lion,” she said. “He had been moved from his home territory and had been causing havoc with the villagers.

“He was then taken to a national park. He looked so sad and lonely sitting in that tree.

“I thought to myself, ‘These poor animals - it must be so tough for them’.”

This heartwarming image, taken in Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa, is titled “Loving Oath”. Picture: Ross Oath/Remembering Lions

An adorable lion cub feeding in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Picture: Melissa Groo/Remembering Lions

Ms Hann cites Remembering Wildlife founder Margot Raggett as an inspiration who works tirelessly at a grassroots” level to protect endangered animals.

Ms Ragget says the aim of the book is to make people aware of the crisis.

“People take for granted that lions will be around for future generations, but unless serious action is taken now, they might not survive,” she said.

“We hope this book will help awareness of the crisis and allow us to change that.”

**Remembering Lions: £45 GBP + £25 postage to Australia. Order via www.rememberingwildlife.com

The cover of the new book, Remembering Lions, by Federico Veronesi.

This stunning image was shot Manyoni Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal. Picture: Nelis Wolmarans/Remembering Lions

International wildlife photographer Hilary Hann, who is from South Australia and a contributor to the book Remembering Lions. Picture: Courtesy of Hilary Hann

Margot Raggett, who is the driving force behind the Remember Wildlife books, on a recent visit to the South Rift Valley in Kenya, where she made the first donation from Remembering Lions of a lion research and monitoring vehicle. Picture: Supplied

This incredible image from the book is titled “Dominant Four”. Picture: Phil McFadden/ Remembering Lions

The images capture the majesty of lions in the wild. Picture: Andrew Aveley/Remembering Lions

A sleeping lion with lightning storm approaching. Picture: Hannes Lochner/ Remembering Lions

Originally published as Remembering Lions: Hilary Hann features in Remembering Wildlife series photography book