Wildlife photographer George Logan has launched a new book of stunning photography to support and raise awareness for Africa’s dwindling’s lion population.The hardback coffee table book, entitled ‘Lion: Pride Before The Fall’, features images of lions in the wilds of Africa. These magnificent creatures have undergone a catastrophic decline on the continent over the last few decades and are on the brink of extinction in all but the largest and best-managed protected areas – they have vanished from 95% of the African land that they previously prowled.

‘When the male lion looks straight at you, you know he really means it,’ says Logan. “It’s a primeval stare that penetrates, unnervingly, right through to your core.’

“This work, the culmination of over 10 years following and photographing Africa’s lion prides, brings their dramatic narrative to life in all its natural beauty and raw ferocity,” Logan said. “It’s difficult to articulate the depths of what we stand to lose, but I hope that through this book, the lions will help tell that story – because with fewer than 20,000 left, time is running out to safeguard their future. All profits from this book will raise vital funds to support, protect and help re-establish the *Last Lions of Meru in Kenya”

“In the UK we have always celebrated lions. Everywhere you look you see lions… except where it matters most. In the wild.”

The images will also spearhead campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers that the last remaining lions still face, such as habitat-loss, canned hunting, trophy hunting, human-wildlife conflict and the real possibility of extinction. Logan and The Born Free Foundation raised the money to publish the book through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign which raised £78,000.

Maridadi: Pride male of the Fig Tree Pride in the Maasai Mara

The foreword to the book was written by Born Free founder and actress, Virginia McKenna OBE. “No one, in my view, more strikingly has caught the multiple dimensions of lions’ behaviour and depth of character than George Logan,” she said. “He has an unfailing sensitivity and admiration for the individual animal. This, for me, shines through each page of the book and is deeply moving in so many ways.”

The 176-page book, priced at £45, is available to buy now