Photographer Page

Chris Schmid

Like humans, elephants are brainy, social animals, and in the wild, much of their stimulation comes from other elephants. “Growing up in a social context, or in a family, is critical to their development,” says elephant behavior specialist Joyce Poole, adding that those interactions remain central to their well-being throughout their lives.

A pair intertwines trunks in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.

A male lion prowls through the grass in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.

With towering volcanoes and lush rainforests, Virunga—Africa’s oldest national park—prides itself for its successful gorilla conservation efforts in the face of looming challenges.

Impala, shown here in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, are known for their significant leaping ability, reaching heights up to 10 feet.

One of the most striking volcanic landscapes in Africa, Virunga National Park is a refuge for numerous birds, reptiles, hippos, and its most iconic: the rare and globally threatened mountain gorilla. Virunga National Park was added to the Danger List in 1994. Both the guards and wildlife have been subjected to ongoing violence in the decades since, including the slaughter of hippos and gorillas. In April 2018, six guards were killed in an attack—the third this year.