New York’s Empire State Building to Project Endangered Species Light Show

Snow leopards, manta rays, lions, snakes, birds and sea mammals are set to be projected on Saturday, August 1st onto a space covering 33 floors from 9PM to 12AM, the New York Times reported.

“We’re very excited to unveil a new kind of lighting at the Empire State Building! On Saturday night, the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) will project a looping video of endangered animals onto the south side of the Empire State Building to draw attention to their rapid extinction,” reads the historic building’s Facebook page.

The project is a collaboration with filmmaker Louie Psihoyos and Travis Threlkel’s Obscura Digital, who produce the light show to create a conversation around animals facing extinction.

In light of an American dentist who recently poached Cecil the lion, a famous animal in one of Zimbabwe's national parks, this initiative is very timely.

Empire State Building/Facebook ... Anthony Malkin, chief executive of Empire State Realty Trust, told the Times that incorporating art into the urban scene to make a social statement is “wonderful.”

The light show will reportedly cost more than $1 million and will be mostly covered by the philanthropic foundation.

“The whole planet could be on the same page for once; anybody with a cellphone or computer would know about it. To create a tipping point, you probably need 10% of the population … If you hit that number, then you have a chance of moving the needle,” Mr Psihoyos told the paper.

Kudos to Louis Psihoyos, founder of Oceanic Preservation Society and Anthony Malkin, Chief Executive Of Empire State Realty Trust for raising awareness of this very important issue.