On a warm Lowveld evening, wildlife enthusiasts and conservation advocates gathered for the highly anticipated book release of Remembering Leopards, the eighth installment in the remarkable ‘Remembering Wildlife’ series. Hosted in Hoedspruit, the event celebrated the beauty of leopards captured through the lenses of talented photographers, but also aimed (together with the balance of the series) to make a significant impact on global conservation efforts.
The night commenced being warmly welcomed with a glass of Painted Wolf wine, setting the tone for an evening of social engagement before the formal proceedings took place. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation and excitement as Margot Raggett MBE, the visionary behind the ‘Remembering Wildlife’ series, took the stage to express gratitude and acknowledgement of the efforts of those involved, extending a special thanks to Harriet from Wild Shots Photography Outreach, the driving force behind the event’s organization. Recognition was also given to Brent Leo-Smith from Painted Dog TV and Tristan Dicks, whose remarkable photography features alongside many other photographers in the pages of Remembering Leopards.
Remembering Leopards is not just another coffee table book; it is a testament to the power of art and collaboration in the service of a noble cause. As with the previous editions in the series, 100% of the profits generated from the book’s sales will be donated to conservation and anti-poaching initiatives. Featuring contributions from 95 wildlife photographers worldwide, including six from Hoedspruit (Tristan Dicks, Lance van de Vyver, Shannon Wild, Russell MacLaughlin, Chad Cocking and Hannes Lochner), the book showcases a diverse range of perspectives on the elusive and majestic leopard.
Margot’s journey from a city girl with a background in PR to a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation is both inspiring and transformative. Her introduction to the wonders of African wildlife during a camera safari in the Maasai Mara, coupled with formal training at the London School of Photography, laid the foundation for her role as a resident photographer guide in northern Kenya. It was during this period that the ‘Remembering Wildlife’ series was born, sparked by Margot’s visceral reaction to witnessing a poached elephant.
The inaugural book in the series, Remembering Elephants, was launched in 2016, selling 2 500 copies within two months. Since then, the series has seen remarkable success, with over 37 000 books sold, raising over a million pounds. These funds have been distributed to 68 projects across 31 countries, supporting initiatives such as poaching patrol assistance, elephant collars, protection for ‘bomas’ and livestock ‘kraals,’ and tracking.
Funding for the printing of each book, costing £20 000 for 1000 copies, is procured through crowdfunding on the Kickstarter platform. The success of these campaigns has been staggering, with the initial target of £20 000 met within 11 hours in the first year, and an astonishing three minutes in the latest campaign!
The highlight of the evening was a captivating presentation, with a slideshow of the featured leopard images narrated by Tristan Dicks and Brent Leo-Smith. The audience, described as ‘educated’ by the presenters, was treated to astonishing facts about the eight subspecies of leopards and their incredible adaptability. The breathtaking imagery showcased leopards from the snow-covered landscapes of Russia, the familiar territories of the Sabi Sands, those coexisting with monks in the Himalayas, and even the only known photograph of an Arabian leopard taken in Israel in 1987.
The interactive presentation concluded with an opportunity for the audience to pose questions, deepening their understanding of the world of leopards and wildlife conservation. The evening concluded on a high note with Margot and Tristan engaging in a book signing session, where captivated attendees had the chance to take home a piece of conservation history.
All proceeds from the sale of Remembering Leopards will be directed towards Contemplate Wild, a local organization leveraging technological and data science expertise to support conservation efforts. By harnessing the power of innovation, Contemplate Wild is committed to safeguarding species and preserving the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems. The evening in Hoedspruit not only marked the launch of a stunning book, but also reinforced the enduring spirit of collaboration and dedication to the preservation of wildlife.
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