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DON'T MISS: Stunning photos of animals light up Empire State Building

August 03, 2015 12:01 IST

Images of Cecil the lion and a number of the world’s most endangered animals were projected on to the side of the Empire State Building in what has been billed as a first-of-its-kind live video projection.

An image of Cecil the lion is projected onto the Empire State Building as part of an endangered species projection to raise awareness. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

The unique display, on one of the world’s most recognisable structures, held on Sunday was aimed at sparking conversations about mass extinction.

A tiger is featured during the one-of-a-kind projection. According to latest figures, there are only 3,200 tigers in the wild. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Pictures of snow leopards, tigers and various sea creatures were shown.

A 106 metre image of Cecil, the famous lion killed in Zimbabwe earlier this month, whose killing has sparked international outrage, also appeared.

The bald-headed eagle also was listed in the projection owing to its endangered status. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Organisers said the event was a “first-of-its-kind” live video projection.

It drew huge crowds of spectators, who stopped to gaze at the display and capture their own pictures.

A snow leopard projected on the Empire State Building. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

In all 160 species were shown, including marine mammals, insects, and even the shadow of King Kong climbing up the building.

In all, 160 species were shown during the projection, including sea creatures. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

The eight-minute sessions were repeated every 15 minutes and were visible from almost 20 blocks away.

The 102-storey Empire State Building is one of Manhattan’s highest structures, standing 381 metre tall.

The event was organised as part of a promotion for a new Discovery Channel documentary, Racing Extinction, which is set to air in December. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Up to 40 large projectors were used to shine the striking images on to its facade. 

The event was organised as part of a promotion for a new Discovery Channel documentary, Racing Extinction, which is set to air in December.

An image of the earth is projected onto the Empire State Building. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

The three-hour exhibition was championed by "The Cove" filmmaker Louie Psihoyos.

Thousands collected to catch a glimpse of the feature presented on the Empire State Building. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

The production’s costs total more than $1 million so far and are being covered in part by the philanthropic foundation created by the Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.

What a bad ass. This wolf looks like he's protecting the city. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Photograph: Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images for The Oceanic Preservation Society

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