Evans Mitchell Books announces the publication of Lion Country

March 17, 2011 - PRLog -- To accompany the second series of ITV’s highly successful Lion Country leading natural history art book publisher Evans Mitchell Books is to publish a new wildlife title based on the series.

Lion Country follows the work of maverick Andrew Conolly and English conservationist, David Youldon, who both have a passion for lions and a determination to stop their rapid decline before it is too late. Andrew, David and their colleagues at the African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) run a controversial wildlife conservation project, in which captive-bred lions are encouraged to develop their natural skills so that they can live independently and their cubs can be rewilded.

Series 1 of the programme was a peak time hit, averaging audiences of over 4.5m viewers. This stunning new book will complement the second series, which is currently being broadcast on ITV1. Covering characters – both animal and human – made famous by the show and detailing the conservation work being undertaken by ALERT as well as the day to day work of naturalists it will be a really in depth profile of the show. There will also be a ‘behind the scenes’ chapter showing how the photography is produced.

The author of the book is renowned wildlife photographer Chris Weston. Chris is an ambassador of ALERT and has spent a great deal of time observing the work of the conservation team. His captivating wildlife photos, collected over the last 5 years, will be used to bring the stories in the book to life. With a foreword by the world’s greatest living explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, this book will be a much anticipated and essential read for all those people interested in the work being carried out to protect and nurture these magnificent creatures.

Lion Country is Chris Weston’s 3rd title with Evans Mitchell Books and will be available from March 2011 at the publisher’s online bookstore http://www.embooks.co.uk and all good book retailers priced £19.95.

Proceeds from the book will be donated to the charity Animals on the Edge http://www.animalsontheedge.org

-ENDS-

For more information on Lion Country,  interviews with Chris Weston and image requests please use the contact email below.

About the author

Chris Weston has been a full-time professional wildlife photographer for over twelve years. During that time, he has spent many weeks visually documenting the lions of Antelope Park and the work of the ALERT team. In addition, he has travelled extensively documenting the issues and challenges facing many of the world’s most endangered species. In December 2010, Chris was recognised by Outdoor Photography magazine as one of the 40 ‘Most Influential’ nature photographers working today.
Photographically, his work has been published in international media and magazines and he has written twenty-nine books on wildlife and photography, including his most recent title, Animals on the Edge - Reporting from the Frontline of Extinction. His prints have been exhibited across Europe and he regularly presents the Animals on the Edge story to sell-out audiences at home and abroad.
In the field, Chris has worked with many leading biologists and his photographs are used extensively in promoting the work of wildlife-centric NGO’s and in educating the global population in the need for effective conservation.
In 2003, in recognition of the quality of his photography and his ethical approach to wildlife, Chris was awarded affiliate membership of the US-based NGO, Canopy – one of only two photographers to receive such an award. And in 2008 he was appointed an Ambassador of the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust.